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Two Shortlistings in 2020 England Hockey Awards for TWHC

Two Shortlistings in 2020 England Hockey Awards for TWHC

Francis Bridgeman4 Jun 2020 - 23:15
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... Double Trouble ... ?

This (sort of) time last year, a small group of us descended on Leicester for the EH Awards as Oli W was shortlisted in the Rising Star category ... He did not win, but his shortlisting was testament to the huge contribution he has made and continues to make now to the Club ... Bedecked in TWHC blazers, we were at least Simon Mason's (MC for the night) best dressed team at the event ...

This year we have gone one better ... we are shortlisted in two categories.

Our Flyerz are shortlisted in the innovation category ... (the relevant period pre-dates lockdown so we can ignore all that has happened since; that is a different story in itself as you will be aware) - based on our focus to bringing inclusive hockey more widely to the county, area and region and to explore new ways to do this, creating a pathway for those players who aspire to national Flyerz/parahockey, but never losing the focus on inclusion for all that is at the core of Flyerz Hockey ... 7 of our players have represented national sides already over the last 2 years (despite us only being up and running for 2 and a half years) and we have been integrating the first of our stronger players into playing mainstream senior hockey on a Saturday as part of this ...

Separately, James "Binky" Bailey is shortlisted in the Spirit of Hockey category. This is hugely merited for all he has done over many, many years... from being a player and clubman, to starting (with others) our initial Monarchs development side, to coaching juniors, to MC'ing our Men's dinner for many years and now coaching Flyerz - in particular working with those of our Flyerz players who need the most dedication and one to one attention. We are very lucky as a club to have a small number of individuals who give as much as Binky has ... (you and we know who you are) ...

We may not win in either of the categories on Saturday when the awards are announced... This does not matter ... Unlike certain (new) local clubs who are shortlisted this weekend, I do not profess to explain why England Hockey have selected our Flyerz or Binky in the shortlist category (they did not give reasons, they just told us they had) ... All that I DO know is that we as a club are hugely appreciative and proud of both Binky and our Flyerz and the example they set for, and what they do for, others and to support an wholly inclusive club which we can rightly be proud of. Well done both and fingers crossed for Saturday.

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