We host our End-of-Season Awards after every season, and this year, Ellen Phillips was the recipient of Club Person of the Year.

“Ellen has been consistently an incredibly supportive and valuable member of the club. She's captained and been club captain for several years. As a fellow captain she's super helpful in guiding on strategy, player management etc.

She's a junior coach, there every Sunday as well as playing mixed games and every saturday. She will always double up for teams as needed.

This season she has also stepped into goal multiple times. Most recently playing in goal for W3s in their top of the table clash on a Sunday - after her junior training. The W5s has one of the highest player retention rates of any team in the club, and Ellen is the reason for that. She's had multiple players return after having babies just to play in the W5s. She's captained the team to near promotion several years in a row, in a league that is tough. She has also nurtured several juniors into womens hockey - Carla Bennett is a great example, who without Ellen's support may not have had the confidence to step up her hockey playing."

Congratulations for winning this award - how did you feel when the award was given to you? 

I would love to be able to say something suitably emotive, but unfortunately I have limited memories of the moment itself! But, if the pictures from my teammates are to be believed I was clearly over the moon! 

“Ellen has given so much of her time and energy over the years to the club as captain of the ladies 5s, club captain and involvement in coaching juniors.”

Tell us about your Hockey background, how long have you been at the club for?

I play for our L5s team and have captained it since my second season at THD. When I can, I also play with our Mixed Team on a Sunday. This season I am helping Dan Rose with our U16 girls team, in previous seasons I have helped with U14 girls.  

“Year on year Ellen has given 100% to the club.”

 

What is it about hockey coaching that you enjoy? Why do you do it?

I've been playing hockey for over 20 years. Now I’m under no illusion that I’ll reach the highest levels of our sport but that’s not why I play, I enjoy being part of a team (in fact I’ve made some lifelong friends since being at THD) and the weekly opportunity to appease the deeply competitive side of my personality!  Coaching U14/U16 girls hockey allows me to share that same passion with the next generation. It’s not just about winning or perfecting every skill; it's about instilling the pure joy of playing and fostering a lifelong love for the sport. Watching the girls grow, improve, and embrace hockey is what makes coaching so enjoyable for me.

“Ellen deserves to get club person of the year.  She does so much and goes that extra mile to ensure that everyone feels part of the club. She has served as W5 captain for a number of years as well as previously Lower Women’s Club Captain with distinction. She’s an asset to the club and someone we wouldn’t be where we are without.”

Do you have any highlights / stand out moments from your time at the Club?

Over my many seasons at THD, there have been numerous highs and lows. From the elation of promotion with the Never Sober Sixes to missing out on promotion by one point last season. There have been the matches where we seemingly can’t stop scoring and then those were the opposition pick us apart. But off the pitch, I think the Christmas party will always be a standout moment from every season. 

“Leads the W5 so well. Has done so for many seasons. But contributes loads to the wider club including coaching juniors, mixed hockey etc. so often her efforts are behind closed doors and not seen by other people”

What would you say to others who play and would like to get involved at volunteering at the club? How and why should they get involved

Give it a try! I have held a variety of roles over my years at THD and I can honestly say I have enjoyed them all (most of the time!) but also I’ve gained transferable skills that I use daily in my day job. THD is only as great as the sum of its parts and by volunteering you can ensure your voice is heard. 

You can read about our club's awards here. To find out more about coaching roles at THD or how you can volunteer your time with different sections of the club please contact our Club Captains at Women@thehockeyclub.co.uk / Men@thehockeyclub.co.uk