No fewer than six Dutch players have been nominated for the annual awards of the world hockey association FIH. Thierry Brinkman and Joep de Mol have a chance of becoming World Players of the Year. Xan de Waard and Yibbi Jansen have been placed on the provisional list of five for the women.
Of course, these four players were all there when double gold was won at the Olympic Games last summer. The same goes for goalkeepers Pirmin Blaak and Anne Veenendaal, who are also on the shortlist for the goalkeeper awards. No Dutch talents have been nominated by the FIH, which announced the candidates for the awards on Tuesday morning.
Joep de Mol in action against Belgium. Photo: Willem Vernes
Van der Horst in 2015 the last
De Waard and Blaak won this prestigious title last year. In 2015, Robert van der Horst was the last Dutch man to receive this award. Brinkman made it to the pre-selection of five the past two years, but eventually saw Harmanpreet and Hardik Singh walk away with the main prize.
We are glad to announce the 30 top #hockey athletes who have been shortlisted for the FIH Best Player, FIH Best Goalkeeper, and FIH Rising Star Awards of the Year.
Follow the link to vote👇@eurohockeyorg @PanAmHockey @asia_hockey @AfrHockey @OceaniaHockey #HockeyStarsAwards
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) September 17, 2024
