Richardson and Jackson UK Players of the 2009

Ashley Jackson, the 22-year-old England and HGC (Netherlands) midfield player was named UK Player of the Year for 2009 following the annual poll conducted amongst British members of the Hockey Writers’ Club.

Helen Richardson the 28-year-old England and Reading central midfield player who spent the first part of a highly successful year with Dutch European Champions Den Bosch was the winner of the women’s award.

England’s captain Kate Walsh, currently a colleague of Richardson at Reading and twice a previous winner was runner up with Tina Cullen who first won the prestigious award in 1999 and at 39 is still the National League leading goalscorer took third place.

Jackson’s club-mate in the Netherlands and the England captain Barry Middleton was second in the men’s poll followed by Reading’s Richard Mantell.

The winners both gave a string of impressive performances for country and clubs during the year and look likely to be prominent contributors to Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic challenge.

Helen received the traditional Rose Bowl and cheque at the presentational Lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club from Leandro Negre, President of the International Hockey Federation, who was the principal guest at the lunch.

Helen donated her cheque to the Youth Section of her first club – West Bridgford Monarchs HC.

Unfortunately, owing to a rearranged tour to Spain the England men were unable to receive their trophies this afternoon. Wesley Jackson was present to receive Ashley’s trophy and it is hoped to re-present to Ashley at the Indoor Hockey Finals at Trent FM Arena, Nottingham on Sunday 31 January.

Ashley donated his cheque to the Junior Section of East Grinstead HC.

Plaques and cheques were also presented to Sarah Haycroft (University of Birmingham) and Rachel Condon on behalf of David Condon (Loughborough Students) winners of the Higgins Group UK Youth Hockey Awards by Richard Higgins, Chairman of the Higgins Group.

The Times Sydney Friskin Memorial Goblet for outstanding services to hockey was presented to Andy Tapley by the newspaper’s Managing Editor, David Chappell, accompanied by Neil Friskin, Sydney’s son.