Hockey star Alex Danson's pride at Gazette Sports Personality of the Year victory (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Hockey star Alex Danson's pride at Gazette Sports Personality of the Year victory

8:00am Sunday 10th March 2013 in Sport By John Boyman

OLYMPIC hockey star Alex Danson has completed an excellent year by winning the Gazette Sports Personality of the Year award for 2012.

The 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal as a member of the Great Britain team at the 2012 games, was named as this year’s winner at the Basing-stoke and Deane Sports Awards last Friday.

Danson was unable to attend the awards ceremony, held at Basingstoke’s Apollo Hotel, but she was delighted to accept the award at her family home in Odiham.

“It’s a big privilege and real honour to win the award,” Danson said. “I am very grateful and accept the award on behalf of the whole team and everyone who supported us.

“When I heard I had been nominated, I had a look at the other contenders and there were some fantastic sportspeople in there. I never believed that I could win ahead of all those amazing people.

“The list says a lot about how we value sport in this area. To have so many top sportspeople is great for north Hampshire.”

Danson played a key role in Britain’s medal success at the Olympics, scoring five goals, including the opener in the bronze medal match against Australia, which GB won 3-1.

“2012 was an amazing year for me,” she said. “It was brilliant and one I will certainly never forget, not just because I was lucky enough to be part of a great team at the Olympics, but also because of the way sport captured the nation.

“That has been fantastic. I am part of a programme with Sky Sports visiting schools and the children are so enthused by sport.”

Danson and her Great Britain team-mates return to full-time training next month, building up to an Investec World Series tournament being played in Chiswick, London, in June.

“After the success of last summer, it will be great to be back in London,” she added. “We’re expecting big crowds and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Then we have the European Championships as we start to prepare for Rio 2016. That seems a long way off but I would love to go to the next Olympics and give it one more go.”

Danson beat off competition from 11 top north Hampshire sportspeople to claim the prestigious award. Basingstoke Bison defenceman Kurt Reynolds claimed second place on a wave of public support, while Hook golfer Justin Rose, a member of the winning European Ryder Cup team, came third.

See the latest Gazette, on sale now, for a four-page special featuring reports and pictures from the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards 2012.