Most Outstanding Schoolgirl (Premier) Player - Dani Wheeler
Dani had a tremendous first season at ABC Hockey as an integral member of our Premier 2 side that was due to play a semi-final before the lockdown and the Premier women wider squad. 2021 was the first year in a long time the Premier Women didn’t have a school aged player in their team, however Dani stepped up to make 10 appearances in her debut season including crucial minutes in the Intercity Semi and Final. The always smiling Dani can play all the positions on the turf while she mainly played up front for the Premier women, she was a crucial part of the central midfield for our P2’s. To top off her ability to play multiple positions Dani started at right half for the National Champion U18 North Harbour side. We are excited to see Dani grow into a future leader within our ABC Hockey set-up in the years to come.
Congratulations Dani on your award.
Most Outstanding Schoolboy (Premier) Player - Milan Patel
Milan had a tremendous year: his second at the club and first as a full time Premier member. An attacking midfielder with the ability to develop into a defensive midfielder, Milan is a player currently performing above his age at the club. We are yet to see the best out of Mills and that’s the scary part, having just finished his year 13 year we now get to have Milan as part of the training group full time and a year where we see a huge jump in our players. On top of his club performances Milan was selected in the NZ U18 side following his efforts for North Harbour in winning the U18 tournament in July. As a young year 13 Mills has one more year of eligibility for U18’s as a first year Uni student and a chance to go back to back.
Most Promising Player (Not Registered Premier) - Nohan Hensman
Nohan played a crucial role for both the P2 and P1 men in 2021. A player who has come through the Club and has it in his blood. Nohan has split his time between grades to enhance his development to find his best position whether that’s in the Midfield or as a Wing half it is yet to be determined. Now capped 30 times at the Premier level with about 25 of those coming in the last 2 seasons. Nohan had his best patch of form at the Premier level through a tough June and July period including scoring his first premier goal. These performances earned him selection for the NHHA NHC Premier 2 side for 2021 and although that tournament was cancelled because of COVID 19 it highlighted the huge potential and tremendous development Nohan made in 2021.
With outstanding young players like Dani, Milan and Nohan the future is bright for ABC Hockey. Congratulations to all three of you on these awards.