JEREMY Spicer-Martinez was the winner of the Professional Coach of the Year Award as he has been an instrumental member of Basingstoke Hockey Club.

As a result of his passion, commitment and dedication, players both at the beginning of their playing careers, and the twilight, are inspired and supported by his coaching.

Delivering coaching to a broad spectrum of ability, Jeremy has created future club, county and national standard players.

The areas he made an impact in 2018 were leading the men’s second team to a league title and taking on the role as junior head coach, which involves overseeing coaching for all age groups from under-six to under-18.

The 43-year-old from Old Basing said: “I first picked up a hockey stick at the age of nine at Basingstoke given to me by Sarah Mainprise-Tait who is here tonight and I have now been a coach at the club for 15 years.

“The club is doing really well - the ladies will be in the national league next season and the men are going up to the conference and the third men’s thirds are looking good for promotion.”

As well as coaching, Jeremy still plays and was part of the England over 40s squad which missed out on a bronze medal in the Master’s Indoor Hockey World Cup and is hoping to help the team to medal next time in Rotterdam next year.