Following the announcement of the shortlist for the Men's, Women's and Young players of the Year, the FIH is pleased to bring you the first of five text and video profile features of the nominees. Today we look at Moritz Fürste (GER), Maartje Paumen (NED), Ashley Jackson (ENG) and Daniela Sruoga (ARG).
FIH Men's Player of the Year Nominee - Moritz Fürste (GER)
Position: Midfielder
Despite being just 26 years of age, Moritz Fürste is a player who has won virtually every accolade there is in the game, claiming gold medals in the Outdoor (Monchengladbach 2006) and Indoor (Vienna 2007) World Cups as well as the Olympic Games (Beijing 2008). He also had the privilege of being named Most Valuable Player in the Euro Hockey League as he guided UHC Hamburg to their first ever elite European club success in 2008. 2010 has been yet another extremely special year for the midfield powerhouse, being a figurehead in a young Germany team that reached the final of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup. Although his team were defeated by Australia, Fürste scored in his second successive World Cup final. Incredibly, 2010 also saw a second success in the Euro Hockey League for UHC Hamburg, with Fürste again showing his worth to his team by being named as the MVP for the second time in three seasons.
To see the official FIH Men's Player of the Year nominee video for Moritz F├╝rste, please click here.
FIH Women's Player of the Year Nominee - Maartje Paumen (NED)
Position: Defender
Although known for her ferocious flicking ability from penalty corners, Maartje Paumen is also a confident and accomplished defender who played a central role in guiding The Netherlands to Silver medals at this year's Champions Trophy and World Cup tournaments. The 25 year old has already claimed an Olympic Gold medal thanks to her memorable performances at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where she smashed the top scorers record by netting 11 goals to inspire The Netherlands to their first Olympic title since Los Angeles 1984. Paumen plays her club hockey with Den Bosch, a team that have dominated in The Netherlands and in Europe for well over a decade. Paumen's outstanding defensive ability and stunning penalty corner flick has earned the recognition of her fellow athletes who consider her to be among the top five players in the world.
To see the official FIH Women's Player of the Year nominee video for Maartje Paumen, please click here.
FIH Young Men's Player of the Year Nominee - Ashley Jackson (ENG)
Position: Midfield / Forward
Last year, Ashley Jackson became the first ever English winner of an FIH Player of the Year award, and will be hoping to take the crown for a second time following a second nomination by his fellow international players. Following last year's success in the Euro Hockey Nations Championship, Jackson has continued to develop into a truly world class player, helping England finish fourth in the Hero Honda FIH World Cup before playing a huge part in his team reaching the final of the ABN AMRO FIH Champions Trophy. His incredible skills, vision and work rate have earned him respect from many of the world's finest players and coaches. Following a hugely successful spell in the Netherlands with HGC, Jackson is currently playing his club hockey for Euro Hockey League hopefuls East Grinstead. With Jackson on board they have every chance of success.
To see the official FIH Young Men's Player of the Year nominee video for Ashley Jackson, please click here.
FIH Young Women's Player of the Year Nominee - Daniela Sruoga (ARG)
Position: Forward
It has been quite a year for Daniela Sruoga, Argentina's hugely talented and rapidly improving attacker. Her performances in the Samsung FIH Champions Trophy turned heads and started tongues wagging, with her superb skills and quick thinking playing a key part in her team's Gold medal success. Incredibly, the starlet continued her sensational form in front of huge crowds in Rosario at the BDO FIH World Cup, where her dream of winning the Gold medal in her home country came true. Sruoga may have only netted one goal during the World Cup, but her reverse stick shot from the left of the circle against England in the Pool phase will be one that she and the capacity crowd will never forget. Sruoga may not have scored many goals in the tournament, but her influence and creativity made her a player to be feared by all of Argentina's opponents during the World Cup. At just 23 years of age, it would seem that this exciting young talent will be delighting the Las Leonas fans for many years to come.
To see FIH's Young Women's Player of the Year nominee video for Daniela Sruoga, please click here.
On Friday, the FIH website will take a look at four other nominees, with Teun de Nooijer, Fu Baorong, Tobias Hauke and Casey Eastham 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.
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)
