Spalding Hockey Club weren’t going to let the current COVID-19 crisis get in the way of their annual end of season awards.
Instead the households of 57 players came together last week to hold the ceremony online and celebrate a successful season, albeit one curtailed prematurely.
The awards ceremony included the announcing of the votes for the various teams’ Player of the Season award, with the physical trophies to be handed out when they can next get together.
Matthew Peach claimed the prize of Men’s 1st’s Player of the Season while the Women’s team accolade was shared by Jess Ball and Angel Harkus.
The club’s chair Elaine Allen said: “It was a fabulous evening of fun and great to see the smiling faces of our hockey family, who made the effort to come together in these crazy times.
“We ended the evening with everyone singing happy birthday for two special birthdays; Fred Morris and Jacob Baker.
“We remain optimistic as we try to embrace the changes and challenges lockdown brings and look forward to when we can all be together again on the pitch playing the game we love.
“We are planning online fitness and skills challenges for the coming months to see us through lockdown.
“Anyone who wants to join can email for further information.
“Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the captains and committee members for all their hard work this season.
“Thank you also to all the coaches, umpires and managers who have done fantastic jobs throughout the season.
“Special thanks go to treasurer Martyn Smith and club secretary Frances Dalton, their tireless work behind the scenes ensures the club runs efficiently.
“Thanks also to our club sponsors Ark IT, Bulley Davey, Hills Furniture, Hub Rural, Soteria Solutions and the Round Table.
“Their funding and support enabled us to develop the club this year, we have been able to offer members first aid courses, umpire qualifications and coaching qualifications.
“Finally, thanks to Mike Morris and the team at Tonic 44 who this year opened a community hub and cafe, which provided us with a long-awaited clubhouse, a place we can use for after match teas and much-needed changing facilities.”
The full list of winners were: Umpire of the year – Mia Dewing; Top male goal scorer – Stuart Cunnington; Top female goal scorers – Charlotte Maplethorpe and AJ Bunyan; Team of the Season – Ladies under 16s; Most improved Male – Lewis Doughty; Most improved Female – Megan Moore; Men’s five Players’ Player – Scott Evans; Men’s 4 Players’ Player – Josh Haines; Men’s 3 Players’ Player – Reuben Gray; Men’s 2 Players’ Player – Tom Bettinson, Men’s 1 Players’ Player – Mathew Peach; Ladies’ 3 Joint Players’ Player – Kate Amess and Maisie Foden; Ladies’ 2 Players’ Player – Megan Moore; Ladies’ 1 Joint Players’ Player – Jess Ball and Angel Harkus; Junior Club Person of the year –Grace Hodgett and Archie Arnold; Senior Club Person of the year – Elaine Allen .
MEN’S 5 PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Scott Evans. 
MEN’S TOP GOAL SCORER: Stuart Cunnington 
MOST IMPROVED FEMALE: And Ladies’ 2 Players’ Player Megan Moore. 
Spalding’s young umpires 
SENIOR CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR: Elaine Allen 
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Spalding Ladies U16s. 
UMPIRE OF THE SEASON: Mia Dewing. 
JUNIOR CLUB PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: Grace Hodgett and Archie Arnold. 
LADIES’ 1 JOINT PLAYERS’ PLAYERS: Jess Ball and Angel Harkus. 
LADIES 3 JOINT PLAYERS’ PLAYERS: Kate Amess and Masie Foden. 
LADIES JOINT TOP GOAL SCORER: Charlotte Mablethorpe and AJ Bunyan 
MEN’S 1 PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Mathew Peach. 
MEN’S 2 PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Tom Bettinson. 
MEN’S 4 PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Josh Haines.
Anyone interested in joining Spalding Hockey Club can email [email protected]
