Dutch stars Xan de Waard and Pirmin Blaak were among the big winners in the 2023 FIH Hockey Stars awards announced on Tuesday morning with FIH Rising Stars going to Spain’s Teresa Lima and France’s Gaspard Xavier (FRA).
Germany head coach André Henning won the men’s FIH Coach of the Year award with Ben Göntgen awarded with the men’s FIH Umpire of the Year.
De Waard led the way in the women’s player category for her skills on the pitch along with her leadership skills as her side won the EuroHockey Championship and Pro League.
“Really happy and honored to be voted as the FIH Player of the Year,” she said of the award. “Thank you for voting for me and I hope to see you at the Olympics!”
India’s Hardik Singh won the male player of the year award, edging out player of the World Cup Niklas Wellen from Germany with Dutch captain Thierry Brinkman – captain in their Pro League and Euro winning runs – in third place.
On the goalkeeping front, Blaak was the men’s winner, edging out Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch, following a year in which he helped the Oranje to World Cup bronze as well as Pro League gold.
“It’s always a dream for a young goalkeeper to become one of the best in the world,” Blaak said of the gong.
“I am happy to have won this award whilst I had some great goalkeepers competing with me for this. I want to thank everyone who voted for me and made me the winner of this prestigious award.”
India’s Savita won the women’s title for a third successive year.
On the coaching front, Henning was the mastermind behind Germany men’s hockey team’s triumph at the World Cup this year.
“Thankful to my entire support staff who have made my life easier both on and off the field. Our collaborative system is something that has helped us succeed as a team.”
Göntgen’s blew his whistle this year in the final of the 2023 EuroHockey Championship for Men mere months after a painful end to his World Cup when he sustained a nasty facial injury.
In the Rising Star categories, 18-year-old Teresa Lima was Spain’s star at the recently concluded FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023. Although her team finished eighth, she was absolutely electrifying on the field. She is definitely one of those to watchout for in the near future.
Expressing her delight on winning the big award, she said: “I am speechless! It is something I was not expecting at all. Obviously, I am super happy and excited. No words, really. Without my teammates, this would not have been possible.
“On a personal level, I would love to be part of the senior Spanish team, obviously, and my dream would be to make the Olympic Games.”
Gaspard Xavier took the men’s honour. He marshalled the French defense and the team, taking them all the way to the final. Although his team lost in the final of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023, he emerged as the Player of the Tournament in the said tournament.
“Very proud and honored to have received these two awards. I would like to thank my teammates, the staff and the French Hockey Federation for everything that has been put in place for us.”
