Middleton, Aymar, Wilson & Zhao profiled for FIH Player of the Year Awards

The International Hockey Federation is pleased to bring you the third of five text and video profile features of the nominated athletes for the FIH Player of the Year Awards. Today we look at Barry Middleton (ENG), Luciana Aymar (ARG), Nick Wilson (NZL) and Zhao Yudiao (CHN).

Barry Middleton (ENG / GBR)
Position: forward
The England and Great Britain men's hockey teams have seen a massive improvement in recent years, and the form of Barry Middleton has undoubtedly been a factor. His supreme skill levels are matched by his positional intelligence, while his predatory instinct in the circle has made him one of the most feared strikers in the game. He is also blessed with great leadership qualities, being given the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband for his country. Middleton could become the first ever Englishman to win the FIH player of the Year award.

Luciana Aymar (ARG)
Position: Midfielder
Considered by many to be the greatest female hockey player of her generation, it comes as no surprise that ÔÇ£LuchaÔÇØ has once again made the shortlist for FIH Women's Player of the Year. However, do not be fooled into thinking that she has been nominated based on her past glories. Aymar has had a simply sensational year on the field, winning the Samsung FIH Champions Trophy in Nottingham before producing a number of awe-inspiring performances to help Las Leonas to glory at the BDO FIH World Cup in her home city of Rosario, Argentina. Watching journalists named her as the player of the tournament, and she will be hoping that her fellow internationals will make her year complete by naming her as the world's best player for a record seventh time.

Nick Wilson (NZL)
Position: Forward
The Black Sticks has a new star to line up alongside the names of Ryan Archibald, Hayden Shaw and Phil Burrows - Nick Wilson. The brilliant striker has been on top form this season, something which has been recognised by his fellow athletes who have named him on their shortlist for the FIH Men's Young Player of the Year Award. The 20 year old is a lethal finisher in the circle who also possesses great strength and a tremendous work ethic. He made his first appearance for 'The Black Sticks' against Korea in New Zealand on November 2007 at the age of 17, and scored his first international goal against Oceania rivals Australian team at Sydney Olympic Park. It was a great start to what promises to be an outstanding career for this hugely gifted young attacker.

Zhao Yudiao (CHN)
Position: Midfielder
China's Zhao Yudiao has made a real name for herself this year thanks to superb individual performances at the Samsung FIH Champions Trophy and the BDO FIH World Cup. The 21-year-old has already collected an Olympic silver medal (Beijing 2008) and looks to be capable of helping her nation achieve even greater things in the future. Zhao started playing hockey for the ÔÇ£LiaoningÔÇØ team in December 2000, and within five years she was participating in the 2005 FIH Junior World Cup. In 2007 she made her debut for the China senior team and quickly developed into a key player thanks to her superb attacking play and goals from midfield. Zhao could become the first ever player from China to win an FIH Player of the Year award, and will have the support of all of her compatriots.

On Tuesday, the FIH website will take a look at four other nominees, with Natascha Keller (GER), Jamie Dwyer (AUS), Rani Rampal (IND) and Robbert Kemperman (NED) 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 including video player profiles 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)