Jamie Dwyer wins FIH Player of the Year for a record 4th time
Jamie Dwyer of Australia has been named World Hockey Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career making him the only male Hockey player to pick up the accolade four times. Jimmy previously won the Player of the Year award in 2009, 2007 and 2004.
The 31-year-old, who has scored 160 goals in 254 international appearances, led the mighty Aussies to lift the World Champ title, the Champions Trophy and gold medal in last month’s Delhi Commonwealth games. Dwyer played a key role in the triumphant year
of Kookaburras.
The other contestants for the Player of the Year award included Barry Middleton of England, Germany’s Moritz Furste, Netherlands’ superstar Teun de Nooijer and Jong Ho Seo of Korea but Dwyer left all the four behind.
Jamie Dwyer, the most decorated player of the modern era, termed the achievement as a “huge honour” and said that he is proud of making such a fantastic record. Jamie, however, saluted his teammates as well as the team management for the magnificent achievement.
"I thought I had a good year personally, but I am only part of a very good side and had it not been for the performances of the team then I don't think I would have won this award, so I have them and the coaching staff to thank."
Jamie, who is the second Australian to accolade the FIH player of the year award besides Jay Stacy in 1999, also paid tribute to the Australian Hockey coach Ric Charlesworth. "Ric has been fantastic to work with and his track record with the women, who he
led to two Olympic golds is something we are hoping to emulate," he said.
Talking about the future plans of the World Champions, Dwyer said that the side has got two most important games over the next two years, the London 2012 Summer Olympics’ semi-final then final.
"We obviously need to qualify for them, but the progress we have made this week and the excitement that is being generated by the team gives you the feeling we are on the verge of something special."
Women field hockey's top honour was shared by Naomi van As of Netherlands and Argentina’s Luciana Aymar. The junior men's player of the year was England's Ashley Jackson while Australia's Casey Eastham took the women's title.
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