The International Hockey Federation is pleased to bring you the second of five text and video profile features of the nominated athletes for the FIH Player of the Year Awards. Today we look at Fu Baorong (CHN), Teun de Nooijer (NED), Casey Eastham (AUS) and Tobias Hauke (GER).
FIH Women's Player of the Year Nominee - Fu Baorong (CHN)
Position: Forward
Over the past decade, Fu Baorong has forged a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous strikers. Despite her China team going through a transitional period, the 32-year-old has been simply sensational once again this year. Her outstanding form have been noticed by players from the best international teams in the world, whose voting contributions have resulted in her being a strong candidate for FIH Women's Player of the Year. Fu began her playing career in 1995 and has been a key player for China since winning a Bronze medal in the 1998 Asian Games. The highlight of her career must surely be winning an Olympic Silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Fans of the game will be hopping that she continues to grace the international hockey pitches at London 2012 and beyond.
To see the official FIH Women's Player of the Year nominee video for Fu Baorong, please click here.
FIH Men's Player of the Year Nominee - Teun de Nooijer (NED)
Position: Midfielder / Forward
There would be few who would question that fact that Teun de Nooijer is one of the greatest and most complete talent that the hockey world has ever seen. Consistently brilliant for the last 15 years, the 34-year-old looks like he has many more years of top class hockey in him. His turn of pace, stick skills, vision and finishing are almost stuff of legend, earning him no less than three FIH Player of the Year Awards, two Olympic Gold Medals and virtually every other accolade there is in the game. 2010 has been another superb year for De Nooijer, helping an exciting young Dutch side to a Bronze medals at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup and the ABN AMRO FIH Champions Trophy.
To see the official FIH Men's Player of the Year nominee video for Teun de Nooijer, please click here.
FIH Young Women's Player of the Year Nominee - Casey Eastham (AUS)
Position: Midfield
The 2009 FIH Player of the Year has been re-nominated for the award by her fellow international players thanks to another impressively consistent performances in 2010. The midfielder from New South Wales made her Australia debut at a four nations tournament in 2006 and has never looked back. She is one of the first names of the team sheet for the Hockeyroos, with retiring coach Frank Murray believing that she will be considered the best player in the world within two years. Still only 21 years of age, Eastham already has over 80 international matches to her name and is one of the Hockeyroos key playmakers.
To see FIH's Young Women's Player of the Year nominee video for Casey Eastham, please click here.
FIH Young Men's Player of the Year Nominee - Tobias Hauke (GER)
Position: Midfielder
Already an Olympic Gold medalist, Tobias Hauke was a key player in the Germany team that reached the final of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in India earlier this year. Hauke is a skillful and industrious midfielder, having already claimed over 130 caps for Germany despite being just 23 years old. In 2009 he helped his club team Rot-Weiss K├Âln claim Germany's Bundesliga, and has recently made the move to Havesthuder THC. Hauke is hugely respected on and off the field by players and coaches alike, and his stunning ability has earned him his place on the FIH Men's Young Player of the Year shortlist.
To see the official FIH Young Men's Player of the Year nominee video for Tobias Hauke, please click here.
On Sunday, the FIH website will take a look at four other nominees, with Barry Middleton (ENG), Luciana Aymar (ARG), Nick Wilson (NZL) and Zhao Yudiao (CHN) all being profiled. All players nominated for the award will be profiled before the winners are announced at a special ceremony on Friday 12th November, which takes place at the FIH Congress & Forum in Montreux, Switzerland. More information about the 2010 FIH player of the Year award can be found in our special section by clicking here.
The Full list of nominees for each award can be found below.
Nominees
FIH Men's Player of the Year
Jamie Dwyer (AUS)
Moritz F├╝rste (GER)
Barry Middleton (ENG)
Teun de Nooijer (NED)
Jong Ho Seo (KOR)
FIH Women's Player of the Year
Luciana Aymar (ARG)
Fu Baorong (CHN)
Soledad Garcia (ARG)
Natascha Keller (GER)
Maartje Paumen (NED)
Young Player Awards (for players born in 1987 or thereafter.)
FIH Young Men's Player of the Year
Florian Fuchs (GER)
Tobias Hauke (GER)
Ashley Jackson (ENG)
Robbert Kemperman (NED)
Nick Wilson (NZL)
FIH Young Women's Player of the Year
Casey Eastham (AUS)
Eva de Goede (NED)
Rani Rampal (IND)
Daniela Sruoga (ARG)
Zhao Yudiao (CHN)
