Austin and Smith gain silverware at club’s awards night

HENLEY Hockey Club held their end of season awards evening at The Bull Inn on Bell Street last weekend.

The black tie event was attended by 115 club members celebrating the adult playing section’s season.

Club chairman Jon Grocock gave a short speech, thanking all those that have contributed to the success of the club over this season and a round-up of highlights, some of which included the full clubhouse renovation, the growth of the membership in both adults and youth, the success that is Back2Hockey, as well as announcing that, all being well, the council have begun replacing the Jubilee Park artificial grass surface over the summer ready for next season.

Mr Grocock announced trophy winners for the men’s section, joined by club president, Rachel Herbert, who did the same for the ladies and older youth players.

Awards were given to Sam Austin, for his captaincy of Henley 5ths, while Robyn Smith took the ladies’ award with her unsung behind the scenes work. In the youth category, Fergus Heggie took the honours. A new award this year was coach of the year, for which 12 people were nominated. This award was won by Henley 2nds’ coach Hayley Rogers, whose side won promotion with three rounds of matches to spare.

The Stewart Woolfrey Umpiring Award went to 16-year-old Adam Herbert while the Grow Your Own award went to Caitlin Barrass, who had her first season in the first team last season and also represents in the junior and mixed section teams. She was recently voted most valued player for her Berkshire squad for the second year in a row.

A summary of the other awards given out on the night is as follows: Ladies’ team of the year — Henley Ladies 1sts and Henley Ladies 2nds.

Men’s team of the year — Henley 5ths.

Most valuable players — ladies 1sts, Charlotte Granger-Holcombe; ladies 2nds, Ellie Bryant; ladies 3rds, Ela Chamberlain; men’s 1sts, Ed Foster; men’s 2nds, Tim Herbert; men’s 3rds, Guy Harmer; men’s 4ths, Alex Woolfrey; men’s 5ths, Tomas Chamberlain.

Youth player of the season: female, Ella Shute; male, Harry Rechner.