2022/23 Season – Sponsored by Insight Management Services
The Young Club Member of the Year for the 22/23 season is Melly Benedikz, seen here receiving her award from Club President Hazel Rolfe and L3 Captain, Zoe Bailey.
Melly is an energetic and hardworking member of whichever team she is in, whether as a keeper or an outfield player. In her first full season of senior hockey she has progressed from the L3’s to L2’s and happily doubles up if required. She has attended every training session, including men’s post-Christmas, which has helped with her achieving her county level position as a goalkeeper.
As a player Melly has come on leaps and bounds this year. But she has also completed the umpire training course and works tirelessly for the Junior section of the club both as a player and as a support to the Junior Coordinator. She is a credit to Newmarket Hockey Club with her commitment both on and off the pitch.
2021/22 Season – Sponsored by CKLG Accountants
This years Young Club Member of the Year is Jack Baker. Jack has been with the club for 7 years starting in the junior section of the club and has now completed his first season of senior hockey playing for both the M3 and M2 teams.
Jack has always demonstrated a willingness to help other members of the club, a willingness that has materialised in several different ways. He has trained both as an outfield player and as a goal keeper knowing that the club has been struggling to find keepers. He has in the past been a key player in junior tournaments and has also umpired at such events. He has signed up for the official England Hockey Umpire Training course, but due to Covid this has yet to happen for him. As part of the Men’s squad, he has ‘doubled up,’ playing for both the M3’s and M2’s on the same day to help ensure both matches went ahead with sufficient players. He attends junior training as a coach/helper to support junior members of the club.
As a player this season, Jack has played as a forward and as a goal keeper, always responding positively to requests from the team Captain to support the team as best he can. We believe he may be the first debutant to score a hat-rick in his first season as Jack did in the 5-1 win against Bury St Edmunds. He is always at training, listens to the coach and more senior players and strives to improve his game while also encouraging other young players.
Jack epitomises what the Club needs in a ‘club player.’ He balances his own needs with those of the club and all those around him.