Helensburgh Hockey Club had its annual awards dinner on Saturday, May 7 with a packed house celebrating the club’s top performers.

Forty one club members with their friends and family attended the Craighelen Lawn Tennis and Squash club to celebrate the season past.

After the meal, honorary vice-president Richard Schooling opened the evening.

He thanked the chefs, the bar staff and Craighelen Tennis Club before Gordon Black stepped in to offer thanks to the umpires and the volunteers from the season past.

A special mention was offered to Barry Cox who had just returned from Australia, having represented club and country in the over-45 Masters’ tournament.

Barry then presented a signed Helensburgh strip to the club, from the over-45s team, as well as the New Zealand over-45s team, as a thank you for the help the club gave him to reach Australia.

There were six awards given out on the the night: Most Improved Player of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Services to the Club.

John Friel introduced the Most Improved Player, with the nominees being Jake Gumbrell, Alex Driver, Ian Richardson and Craig Keith. Ian Richardson took home the trophy.

The Volunteer of the Year trophy was presented by Richard Schooling. Gavin McWilliam, Kim McCallion, Dayle Hartopp and Gordon Black were all nominated, with Gavin taking home the shield.

Young Player of the Year was a particularly difficult trophy to decide on this year, with so many youngsters at the club.

Gavin was up again to present the award.

The nominees were Tom Barton, Jay Caulfield, Jake Gumbrell and Cameron Dye. Cameron just managed to pip the others to the post.

The Player of the Year award is one that the committee decide on.

They look at all players from the season past and four top players were decided – Gordon Black, Gavin McWilliam, Barry Cox and Dayle Hartopp.

The committee then each voted on their choice of winner, and Gavin McWilliam was chosen and presented the award by his 1st XI Captain, Jamie Caulfield.

Players’ Player of the Year is one award that committee don’t directly influence, presented by Kim McCallion.

All club members have one vote to decide on who they would like to win.

A total of 45 members voted, with a shortlist of six nominees. Cameron Dye, Josh Murphy, Gordon Black, Brian Kennedy, Craig Keith and Gavin McKenzie were all up for the award. The winner was Gordon Black.

The final award of the night was for Services to the Club – presented by last year’s winner – Andy Richardson. The winner of this award was someone who has been at the club for almost 40 years, having played many roles during his time.

He has been secretary, treasurer and most recently honorary vice-president.

Having hung up his playing boots over 20 years ago, he still turns up week in, week out to not only support the club, but to do the thankless task of umpiring every week. The winner of Services to the Club was Richard Schooling.