Whangarei's Laura Douglas capped a huge year of hockey when she was named the Peter Lawson Memorial Sportswoman of the year.
The Northland representative said it was a great feeling to be recognised by the sporting community at Hockey Northland's annual sponsors and supporters awards.
Douglas was named in the Black Sticks
wider squad of 25, alongside several of her Northland teammates, at the conclusion of the National Hockey League in September, after missing out on the cut last year.
"It's a great achievement and was nice to be recognised for my success this year, as well as for giving back to the sport," the midfielder said.
Along with playing for club side Old Girls and Northland, Douglas also assisted with coaching the Kamo High School premier grade, as well as co-coaching the Northland Under-16 Girls team with Rana Vette. The duo saw the team through to a New Zealand title at the National under-16 tournament earlier in the year.
Springfield premier men's player Craig Thorne was named the Peter Lawson Memorial Sportsman of the year for his contribution to Northland hockey.
Thorne helped Brent Markwick with coaching and training the senior Springfield side, and a Whangarei Boys High School collegiate team. He was also an outstanding player in the men's NHL side.
Several special awards were presented, including the Youth Leadership prize from Hockey NZ and the International Hockey Federation for Rachael Lecky, who contributed to the running of junior goalkeeping programmes.
Meanwhile, Vette received recognition for playing 200 games for Northland.
He has represented the region since 1989.
A cheque of $24,000 was also presented to Mike Delaney - the total of donations received from the benefit weekend in October - to go towards the former Northland hockey player's medical treatment for an injury he received two years ago.
See Sport in Detail for full results.
