A COMMITTED Stourport Hockey Club volunteer has been given national recognition for her dedication to the sport.

Holly Lashford has been awarded the Barrington Sports Club Champion of the Year award from the English Hockey Association (EHA).

The honour, made at a ceremony at the Madejski Stadium Hotel in Reading last month, was recognition for her voluntary work with the club, based in The Kingsway.

Holly, who lives in Great Witley, joined Stourport Hockey Club in 2001 and has served as chair for the past five years.

Club officials credit her as the driving force behind a third pitch being built at the club as well as a number of other major changes to help them evolve.

Along with her duties at Stourport she is also the chair on the Worcestershire Hockey Committee.

In the nomination for the award, the EHA were told of her “unstinting dedication to the club, and that not only does she hold the position of Chair but she also spends up to two evenings a week, organising the Umpires for the weekend's matches”.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted and completely honoured to have been chosen as the winner of this award. I am very passionate about the club and I'm not unique in that respect.

“It's a massive team effort and a huge thanks must also go to all those other individuals who are equally as passionate who give up a massive amount of time to make the club what it is today. I couldn't do it on my own."

Holly's award isn't the first time that the club have been successful at the EHA awards, at the inaugural National Award Ceremony, seven years ago, Coach Mark Moss won the Young Performance Coach of the Year award.

Earlier this year U18 England player, Alex Cook won the Wyre Forest Young Player Award, and the club itself won the Most Developed Club award.

But, it's not just individuals that have been achieving at the club, both the men and ladies sections have had sides promoted.

A spokesman for the club said they are always looking for new sponsors and players, of all abilities, to join them on their training nights. Anyone interested can visit www.stourport-hc.co.uk or by contacting Gemma Taylor Robinson on 07840 794970 or 01299 663596.