AHF: Xan de Waard (NED) and Tom Boon (BEL) named FIH Players of the Year

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 FIH Player of the Year awards:

• Women’s Player of the Year: Xan de Waard (NED)
• Men’s Player of the Year: Tom Boon (BEL) 2024

Women’s Player of the Year – Xan de Waard (NED)

Xan de Waard delivered yet another outstanding campaign for the Netherlands, blending vision, technical precision and leadership at the highest level. Her pivotal contributions and consistent clutch performances throughout the FIH Hockey Pro League season and the EuroHockey Championships, both of which ended in triumphs for the world number one Dutch side, have reinforced her status as one of the world’s premier midfield talents.

Key highlights of her year include a commanding role in the Netherlands’ success at the European Championship, where her incisive passing continued to be the connective tissue of the offence, while her tireless defensive work-rate contributed heavily to the best defence in the competition, as the Dutch side won a record-extending 13th title at the continental competition!

She was also a standout presence in the FIH Hockey Pro League, consistently delivering against elite opposition, and as the captain, drove her team’s momentum and success. Under her stewardship the Dutch women’s side picked up their fifth Pro League title in six seasons of the competition’s history, finishing the season eight points clear of the second placed Argentina.

Her rare combination of creative spark and disciplined execution, make her an instrumental figure in the dominant Dutch side’s tactical identity and consistently impressive results.

For her elite standard of play, decisive leadership and unwavering consistency across the global stage, Xan de Waard is a deserving recipient of the FIH Player of the Year Award.

Men’s Player of the Year – Tom Boon (BEL)

Over the past year, Tom Boon once again showed why he remains one of the most dangerous forwards in international hockey. With a blend of razor-sharp goal-scoring instincts and the ability to deliver in the big moments, he has been central to Belgium’s success for over a decade!

Boon was in rampant goal-scoring form during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 season. Mid-way through the season there were multiple players vying for the top-scorer title, but Boon’s second half burst left his competitors in the dust, as he ended the season with 21 goals, 9 clear of Sam Ward in second place!

His goals and assists proved decisive in Belgium finishing second in the competition, which matched their best result in the competition since winning the title in season two.

Tom Boon’s goalscoring exploits continued in the EuroHockey Championship 2025, where he finished second on the top-scorers list of the competition. And while Belgium failed to secure a fifth consecutive podium finish in Europe’s premier competition, Boon’s scoring stick continued to function on overdrive.

Tom Boon’s leadership presence through both seasoned experience and present-day impact anchors Belgium’s attacking ambitions and competitive edge on the world stage. His pivotal role in Belgium’s performance and enduring standard of excellence make him a worthy recipient of the FIH Player of the Year Award.