Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards

Scottish Hockey is delighted that hockey has been shortlisted for three awards at the Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards, held in Glasgow on 7 December.

The Scotland men’s hockey team has been shortlisted for Team of the Year, Scotland men’s Head Coach Derek Forsyth has been shortlisted for Coach of the Year, and Grove Menzieshill is in the running for Local Club of the Year at the prestigious event.

The recognition is fantastic for the sport and shows the excellent year that hockey in Scotland has had at all levels.

Sunday Mail and sportscotland awards
EuroHockey Championship II 2017 Men – Final
The winning Scotland team – photo by Duncan Gray

A phenomenal year for Derek Forsyth and the Scotland men’s hockey team

It has been a phenomenal year for the Scotland men’s hockey team – they won EuroHockey Championship II and qualified for the top table of European hockey for the first time since 2005. They also surpassed all expectations and competed in the World League Semi-Final for the first time ever, and rose significantly in the world rankings. The squad truly has had significant success and this nomination is tremendous recognition of the hard work, dedication and achievements of the squad. Scotland men are shortlisted alongside Celtic FC and the Scotland Rugby sevens team.

Scotland men’s Head Coach Derek Forsyth truly has got the best out of his players to achieve tremendous things this year. He and his staff overcame many challenges to lead his team to the fantastic achievements the squad has delivered for hockey. Derek also worked with GB Hockey’s men’s team as Assistant Coach for the 2017 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia. GB won the tournament with Derek making a valuable contribution to the success. Derek is shortlisted alongside Brendan Rogers of Celtic FC and Ian Mirfin of athletics.

Fantastic recognition for Grove Menzieshill

In the year that Grove Menzieshill was voted the EHF European Club of the Year 2016 for Small Clubs, it is fantastic recognition of the club’s efforts to be in the running for Sunday Mail and sportscotland Local Club of the Year.

It is a massive achievement for the club as it continues to progress and create more opportunities for people to play hockey. From youth hockey, to officials, to international players, Grove Menzieshill has achieved at all levels.

Grove Menzieshill is a small but proud family hockey club with strong ties to its community. In Scottish Hockey’s accreditation programme Grove Menzieshill has gained silver accreditation, which insures clubs are safe, well organised and efficient with a focus on membership growth and retention.

Grove Menzieshill is also a recipient of sportscotland’s Direct Club Investment (DCI), which supports the development of world class club sport, and was held in the spotlight as part of the sportscotland Playing Our Part video series.

Grove Menzieshill is shortlisted with Kingdom Off-Road Motorcycle Club and Haddington Table Tennis Club.

An exciting time for hockey

Scottish Hockey CEO David Sweetman said, “This is great news for hockey in Scotland and I’m absolutely delighted to see the Scotland men’s team, Derek Forsyth, and Grove Menzieshill recognised in what has been a fantastic year for the sport.

“The success of the Scotland men’s squad and Derek Forsyth is an inspirational story and a great example for the sport. The work of Grove Menzieshill is equally inspirational and shows what hockey clubs in Scotland can achieve, and the great role hockey can play in a community.

“This is an exciting time for hockey as the sport grows across Scotland. The future is bright for hockey and I’d like to congratulate the Scotland men’s squad, Derek Forsyth, and Grove Menzieshill on this well-deserved recognition.”

Sunday Mail and sportscotland awards
EHF President Marijke Fleuren presents the Small Club of the Year award to Grove Menzieshill HC, Dundee. Photo by Duncan Gray

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