For the second consecutive year, Netherlands Joyce Sombroek has won the FIH Hockey Stars Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award, and for good reason.
Where other ‘keepers have moments of sheer brilliance, Sombroek can always be relied upon to be on her game. Her performances at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp, Belgium were a study in calm composure and, while the Netherlands had to settle for silver in the EuroHockey Championships in London, England, Sombroek’s performances throughout that event were again first class.
Her impressive powers of concentration are the reason that the Netherlands team is able to play with such creativity and flow. When you have a foundation as steady as Sombroek, then the rest of the team can shine.
In typically modest fashion, Sombroek paid tribute to her competitors: “I am really happy and honoured to be announced Goalkeeper of the Year! I was pleasantly surprised, especially considering the fact that fellow goalkeepers like Maddie (Hinch) did a great job as well. I would also like to thank my teammates, trainers, family, friends, fans and sponsors for their great support!”
For more information about the Hockey Stars 2015, click here.
