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Club Award Winners

Club Award Winners

Liz Spencer21 Apr 2018 - 07:48
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Congratulations Emma, Steve and Karen

The top Club Awards:

The Holt Cup

Awarded for continued contribution and commitment to the Ladies Section and dedication to the club over the years. Decided and presented by the Ladies Section

This year’s recipient of the Holt Cup goes to Emma Thomas.
ET has been at this club for about 14 seasons and has been the Ladies 1XI Captain for the past 8 years.
Her dedication to the team, training, ladies section and the club has been strong and steady since the first day she turned up.
When asked she will always try to find a way of helping, no matter how busy she is, and leads by respecting others.

On the pitch no-one works harder than ET, and this helps to drive the whole teams attitude and commitment to the game.
You know if you or the team is in trouble and you need to up your game, when ET utters a swear word on the bench or during a halftime team talk (although this is always swiftly followed by an apology for swearing!)

During the time at the club, she has graduated from Uni and has trained and qualified to become a DR, yet still striving to give the same commitment to the team and club, including turning up to play after a nightshift, although very few people would have guessed this due to her unwavering commitment to run down every ball, chase Jump back, and making sure that a player never ever goes past her without her trying to make a tackle on them.

She has inspired many people who have played alongside her, including some well known internationals!

As a Captain, she has lifted a few trophies, noticeably the triple in 2013 when the team won the Indoor, the National League and the European Cup winners cup.
She is also inspiring the next generation at the club, including one U8 who self diagnosed that he had broken his knee.
ET went over to help and some kind words and examining the said broken knee, told Josh that she played hockey too as well as being a doctor, he was so impressed that he forgot his broken knee and promptly ran off telling everyone that he was amazed that a hockey player can be a doctor too!

Emma has never asked for recognition her personality and quiet reassuring manner and kindness just doesn’t allow it.
She is the first to offer support, advice and kind words, and expects nothing in return.
That is why it is an honour to present this award to one of the nicest, supportive, dedicated person / players we have at the club.

Club Person of the Year - Men Section

STEVE REED


As the entry level development team for the junior players (our next generation) it is crucial that the environment created is a safe and nurturing one, allowing young players to make the difficult jump between colts and adults hockey.
Stephen has taken a diverse group of players from the age of 13 - 68 and blended then together to the point where we sit in the top 3 teams in the league with a great chance of securing promotion.
He has a fabulous approach and way with the young players, I have never heard him say a critical word of their play and is unfailingly supportive to their needs.
His selfless approach means he has spent the vast majority of the season on the side line giving others a chance to play before him.

During the week he often spends considerable amounts of time chasing up availability and twisting arms to play to make sure we have a good balance of youth and experience on the pitch. It’s a thankless task that he does without complaint.

For us more experienced players it has been an absolute pleasure to be part of a hugely successful team built upon the talents of our young players.
Watching the team tear apart opposition teams with much more experience with sometimes only 4 or 5 senior players on the pitch has been a real highlight Its vital for the future success of the club that this ethos is maintained and in Steve we have just the kind of person we need at the helm - a true clubman.

Club Person of the Year - Ladies Section

KAREN ATKINSON


Karen is an indispensable member of RHC.
She is committed, always willing to volunteer to help and has held a wide range of roles within the club.
She always brings laughter and smiles to her team mates and fellow club members.
She contributes in so many ways and never asks for anything in return.
Her encouragement to other players, be it colts or adults, has a huge impact on the teams she plays for and coaches.

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