World Hockey

Australia’s Jamie Dwyer has been voted WorldHockey Player of the Year for 2004 in a vote by players competing at the Samsung Men’s Champions Trophy tournament in Lahore.

Dwyer, who won the WorldHockey Young Player of the Year award in 2002, was not present to receive his award in Lahore but said in an interview that he was deeply honoured to have been chosen by his peers.

For the first time, in 2004, WorldHockey Player of the Year Awards have been voted by the players at their respective men’s and women’s Champions Trophy tournaments, guided by a panel of judges who nominated a short list of players taking into account performances at the Olympic Qualifying tournaments; the Olympic Games and the Champions Trophy events.

Dwyer was the runaway winner, gaining more than 47% of the total number of votes.

The 25 year old striker was the hero of Australia’s breakthrough win in Athens, scoring the golden goal that gave the Kookaburras their first Olympic gold medal.

Dwyer has played 93 games for Australia, scoring 60 goals including seven at the Athens Games and completing a hat-trick in his first Olympic appearance.

He had recovered from a serious knee injury suffered at the Champions Trophy in Amstelveen last year to hold his place in the Kookaburras squad.

The WorldHockey Young Player of the Year for 2004 is Santiago Freixa from Spain.

The 21 year old has played 82 games for Spain and is not only a key striker in their national squad but also a feared penalty corner expert.

FIH President Els Van Breda Vriesman said both players were worthy winners.

“From the list of nominations it is obvious that our winners are wonderful ambassadors for their respective nations and also for our sport,” she said.

“I congratulate all those who were nominated. That in itself is a tribute to their abilities and their value to our sport.”

The awards were announced at a function at the Lahore Pearl Continental Hotel on December 9th 2004.

Rate This Article

Select Here  5 Stars  (Best Rating)   4 Stars   3 Stars   2 Stars   1 Star  (Worst Rating)

Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.