WTHC MARKS END OF 2023/24 SEASON AT AWARDS NIGHT
Wisbech Town HC marked the end of the 2023/24 hockey season with its annual Awards Night on Saturday 27th April 2024.
Following a successful year for the club, during which three teams - the Mens 1st XI, Mens 2nd XI, and Ladies 3rd XI - all won their respective leagues and earned promotion, club Chair Matt Esser made a short opening speech welcoming everyone to the evening before paying tribute to late club member Calvin Bishop, who passed away shortly after the final game of the season.
Attendees enjoyed dinner before team and club awards were handed out, with each team captain providing a summary of their side’s season, before announcing that team’s Player of the Year winner; this was followed by club award, with Men’s Club Captain Kev Shippey presenting the Most Improved Mens Player of the Year, and Most Improved Mens Young Player of the Year awards to father and son duo Martin, and Jack Woollard.
Ladies first team captain Jo Gomm presented Most Improved Ladies Player of the Year to Laura Dudley, who made her first team debut during the season, Most Improved Ladies Young Player of the Year to Freya Matthews.
Esser then returned to the stage to announce the winners of the two final awards:
Georgie Dunn became a double-winner on the night, scooping the Ladies First Team Player of the Year award, after helping the team retain its place in Division 1 North, before receiving The Graham Ward Award from Andrew Ward, Graham’s son, in recognition of her outstanding work within the club’s Junior section this year, specifically with the club’s Under 8s team, which has been the entry point for so many young players into the club.
Claire Burton was award Club Person of the Year for her tireless work with Wisbech Town HC’s Junior section. Working with the club’s junior coaches, Claire has overseen tremendous growth within the section, helping organise an unprecedented number of junior tournaments at WTHC during the past season, as well as entering teams into a variety of tournaments at other clubs in the local area.
Congratulations again to all winners!
Georgie Dunn won two awards on the night
Claire Burton was named Club Person of the Year
LIST OF WINNERS
Club Person of the Year - Claire Burton
The Graham Ward Award - Georgie Dunn
Most Improved Player (Ladies) - Laura Dudley
Most Improved Player (Mens) - Martin Woollard
Most Improved Young Player (Ladies) - Freya Matthews
Most Improved Young Player (Mens) - Jack Woollard
Ladies 1st Team Player of the Year - Georgie Dunn
Mens 1st Team Player of the Year - Benjamin Tarratt
Ladies 2nd Team Player of the Year - Sue Robinson
Mens 2nd Team Player of the Year - Jonathan Shippey
Ladies 3rd Team Player of the Year - Louise Cooper
Mens 3rd Team Player of the Year - John Lawrence
Ladies 4th Team Player of the Year - Zoe Parsons
Mens 4th Team Player of the Year - Ian Bell