Seven European players have been named on the shortlist for the FIH Stars awards following their performances in international competitions in 2025.

On the women’s side, the Netherlands’ Xan de Waard and fellow midfielder from Belgium Alix Gerniers are up for the player of the year prize along with China’s Li Hong.

For the men’s top player award, Dutch striker Thierry Brinkman and Belgian forward Tom Boon are on the shortlist along with Argentina’s Nicolás Della Torre.

For the goalkeeper prizes, Anne Veenendaal is on the women’s shortlist with China’s Liu Ping and New Zealand’s Grace O’Hanlon while England’s James Mazarelo and Germany’s Jean-Paul Danneberg are included with Argentina’s Tomás Santiago.

The shortlists were established by an Expert Panel composed of players, coaches and tv commentators selected by the FIH.

The expert panel was provided access to match data from all international matches held in 2025, including Test Matches, Continental Championships, FIH Hockey Pro League, FIH Hockey Nations Cups and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 before establishing the final list of nominees.

The voting process is now open! National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans, players, coaches, officials and media can register their vote until 16 November.

Fans can cast their votes here.

FIH Player of the Year Award – Nominees:

Women: Xan de Waard (NED), Alix Gerniers (BEL), Li Hong (CHN)

Men: Tom Boon (BEL), Nicolás Della Torre (ARG), Thierry Brinkman (NED)

FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award – Nominees:

Women: Anne Veenendaal (NED), Liu Ping (CHN), Grace O’Hanlon (NZL)

Men: James Mazarelo (ENG), Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER), Tomás Santiago (ARG)