South African hockey has experienced a year of excitement, frustration and increased coverage. The World League Semi-Finals as well as Round 3, coupled with hosting the most supported test match, probably in South African Hockey history, all saw South Africans make news in the hockey sphere on a regular basis. The South African Hockey Association today released the names of the players of the year.
Here are the winners:
The 2012 SA Senior Men’s Player of the Year is Austin Smith, the national team captain who led the side to gold at the Olympic Qualifier Tournament in Japan in May last year, and led the side with distinction to 11th place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The 2012 SA Senior Women’s Player of the Year is Marsha Cox (née Marescia), the national team captain who led the side to gold at the Olympic Qualifier Tournament in India in February last year, and led the side with distinction to 10th place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
2012 SA HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
U18 Girls: Kirsty Gibbings – KZN Coastal
U18 Boys: Kerwin Christoffels – Border
U21 Women: Izelle Lategan – Free State
U21 Men: Clinton Panther – Southern Gauteng
Senior Women: Marsha Cox (née Marescia) – Southern Gauteng
Senior Men: Austin Smith – Western Province