Czechia’s Karolina Krizenecka and Spain’s Rubén Díaz have both been honoured as part of the FIH’s International Volunteer Day 2025 celebrations.

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A trailblazer in Para Hockey, Karolina Krizenecka stands as the first para-hockey coach in Czechia working with intellectually disabled athletes.

Alongside her distinguished playing and coaching journey — backed by an FIH Level 3 certificate — she has become a powerful advocate for inclusivity. Her impact extends beyond the pitch, contributing to coach-education programmes and workshops that support both mainstream and adaptive hockey across the region.

After a serious back injury ended his competitive playing days, Rubén Díaz reinvented his role within the sport he loves.

Now a dedicated match official, he is deeply involved in organising games, supporting teams, and ensuring competitions run seamlessly.

Guided by his belief that “life doesn’t end until you stop breathing,” Rubén’s resilience and spirit serve as a model of volunteerism and perseverance within the Spanish hockey community.

Announcing the honourees, the FIH wrote: “Volunteers are the quiet heartbeat of hockey. They umpire, organise, coach, guide, uplift, and build communities. They are the first to arrive, the last to leave, and the reason the sport continues to grow in every corner of the world.

“On International Volunteer Day 2025, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) proudly recognises extraordinary individuals from across the world, whose efforts reflect the true spirit of dedication to the sport.

“All across the world, these volunteers have changed lives through their commitment to inclusion, development, and opportunity. Their stories capture the essence of what makes hockey more than a sport – a global community driven by passion and purpose.

** You can read more about the volunteers from around the world here