Lausanne, Switzerland: Each stick swing, each aim scored, and each victory celebrated in hockey is constructed on the dedication of numerous volunteers. From grassroots applications to elite worldwide tournaments, volunteers type the inspiration of hockey. They’re the coaches introducing youngsters to the enjoyment of the sport, the umpires guaranteeing truthful play, the occasion organizers orchestrating seamless tournaments, and the mentors shaping the following era of leaders.
In lots of elements of the world, hockey’s very existence depends on the eagerness and selflessness of those people. Their dedication not solely helps the game flourish but additionally strengthens communities, educating values of teamwork, resilience, and inclusivity.
This Worldwide Volunteer Day, the worldwide hockey neighborhood comes collectively to shine a highlight on the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, fostering the expansion of our beloved sport.
To honor these hard-working and dedicated people, FIH is presenting an FIH Worldwide Volunteer Day award, recognising the invaluable contribution of every nominee. All of the recipients of the award have been nominated by their continental federation.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram mentioned: “At the moment, as the worldwide hockey neighborhood celebrates Worldwide Volunteer Day, we specific our heartfelt gratitude to all of the volunteers who make hockey greater than only a sport – it’s a motion. Their efforts ignite ardour, construct bridges throughout cultures, and create lasting legacies.
On behalf of FIH and in my private title, I’d wish to thank each volunteer for his or her tireless work, boundless power, and unwavering perception within the energy of hockey. They’re the heartbeat of our sport, and we rejoice them not simply at this time, however each day.”
The Pan American Hockey Federation has nominated Pilar Burundarena (ARG/PAR) and Aaron Finer (USA) for his or her spirit and dedication to hockey.
Pilar Burundarena, embodies the true spirit of dedication and repair. Initially from Argentina and now residing in Paraguay, Pilar has confirmed her unwavering dedication as a volunteer throughout the South American Video games (ODESUR) and the Particular Olympics Latin America in October 2024. Her empathy, approachability, and readiness to help at each second made her a useful asset to those occasions. Her selfless efforts and supportive nature left an enduring impression, showcasing the unimaginable worth of her contributions to the sporting neighborhood.
Aaron Finer is among the most devoted volunteer officers I’ve ever seen round hockey. He’s a consummate skilled within the medical area who’s a professional medical physician and practices principally within the sports activities drugs space of athlete preparation, harm prevention and rehabilitation. As soon as Aaron commits to the duty, he goes about his duties with tireless power. He enjoys what he does and by no means shies away from any activity. Aaron is normally prepared to work with anybody who’s in want and has the true coronary heart of a medical practitioner on this regard. Aaron is a beneficial asset to the game of hockey and any crew to which he has dedicated.
The Oceania Hockey Federation has nominated Brendan Bon of Papua New Guinea and Lyn Hill of Australia for the award.
Brendan Bon is an excellent volunteer for the Papua New Guinea Hockey Federation, contributing as an umpire at six PNG Nationwide Championships, two Pacific Video games (2015, 2023), and the 2014 FIH World League in Fiji. On the 2015 Pacific Video games, he served as Assistant Umpire Supervisor, enhancing umpire improvement in PNG, and he continues to play a pivotal position in recruiting and coaching officers. Appointed Govt Director of PNG Hockey Federation in 2024, Brendan’s company experience has bolstered sponsorship efforts for applications like Hook in4 Well being, significantly its enlargement into Lae, the place he resides. A household man, Brendan cherishes hockey’s unifying spirit, highlighted by umpiring the 2023 Pacific Video games Ladies’s Closing, the place his daughters represented PNG and gained bronze.
Lyn Hill has devoted her life to hockey improvement, excelling as a participant, coach, umpire, and administrator, significantly in officiating and indoor hockey at membership, state, and nationwide ranges. After taking part in for Queensland Nation and Rockhampton within the Nineteen Seventies, Lyn grew to become a revered umpire, incomes the Australian Umpires Badge in 1987 and officiating at prestigious occasions, together with the inaugural Indoor World Cup last in 2003. A talented mentor and educator, she has guided officers throughout all ranges and continues as Chair of the Hockey Queensland Umpiring Committee and HA Appointments Panel. Lyn’s contributions prolong to Oceania, the place she developed pathways for Hockey5s officers and volunteered at key occasions just like the 2019 Oceania Cup.
The Asian Hockey Federation has nominated Manoj Kumar Prasad (India) and Urmanova Guzal (Kazakhstan) for his or her stellar contribution in the direction of creating the following era of hockey gamers in Asia.
Manoj Kumar Prasad has been instrumental in figuring out and nurturing hockey expertise from distant areas, offering platforms, steerage, and coaching. He found and mentored gamers like Salima Tete, who now captains the Indian Ladies’s Hockey Group. Aside from Salima Tete, gamers like Sangeeta Kumari, Deepika Soreng, Ropni Kumari, Rajni Kerketta, Neeru Kullu, Sushma Kumari, Alka Dungdung, and Alpha Kerketta have made it to the Indian crew. His initiatives embody organizing district-level tournaments, introducing English and laptop courses for gamers, and establishing hockey fields by way of neighborhood efforts. He additionally engages youths from Naxal-affected areas, integrating them into hockey and guiding many to state and nationwide ranges. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he supported gamers with diet and psychological encouragement. Past sports activities, he promotes social causes like environmental conservation.
Urmanova Guzal from Kazakhstan exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism by way of outstanding contributions to hockey. With a key position in youth improvement for each girls and boys, and expertise volunteering in occasions just like the U-21 Ladies’s Jr. AHF Cup and Males’s Indoor Asia Cup, she has been instrumental in organizing nationwide and worldwide matches, fostering the expansion of the game.
The African Hockey Federation has nominated Helen McBean of Zimbabwe and Johann Weyhe of Namibia for the award.
Helen McBean has all the time been a volunteer and good helper in lots of African tournaments organized by Zimbabwe, till she was identified with most cancers (nonetheless below therapy – Immunotherapy & Chemotherapy). This recognition shall be superb for her medical case.
Johann Weyhe has all the time been, and nonetheless is, a devoted volunteer and a passionate hockey lover. Throughout the current Indoor Africa Cup, he was excellent and all stakeholders have been speaking about how he’s a one-of-a-kind passionate volunteer with limitless giving whether or not by dedicating his time or his effort (bodily and psychological).
EuroHockey has nominated Miquel Cunill of Spain and Cathelijne Rockall of France for the award.
Miquel Cunill was the host with essentially the most for the unimaginable EuroHockey Beneath-21 Championships this summer season at Atlètic Terrassa. He led a crew of 130 native volunteers for one of many main highlights of the European summer season with 10 days and 40 video games showcasing among the greatest rising skills from the continent. The membership welcomed hundreds of tourists to the occasion, together with a spectacular bought out finals day within the Spanish sunshine.
Cathelijne Rockall is nominated for her phenomenal work on the Paris Olympics facet occasions. She performed a key half within the French Federation’s efforts – along side the FIH – who introduced hockey alive for 25,000 guests to the Yves-de-Manoir Stadium. The primary focus was a excessive octane sports activities initiation zone with 100 sticks and balls and mountains of power that greeted guests to the Olympic hockey venue for 15 days in a row. It included masterclasses from Olympians, autograph signings, interacting with new and previous followers, giving all an opportunity to present the game a attempt to encourage a brand new viewers with Cathelijne a central piece from the French host’s crew.
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