Caradon Hockey Club added another trophy to their cabinet when the ladies first XI picked up the national award of “Women’s Team of the Year" at a star-studded ceremony at Leicester Athena on Saturday night. A huge achievement from the Liskeard based team that is reward for all their hard work, dedication, and achievements this season. 

Shortlisted amongst five teams, Repton 1st XI, Blueharts 1st XI, Shipston on Stour, and Norton 1st XI who had all had remarkably successful seasons both on and off the pitch, nine squad members from Caradon travelled to Leicester more in hope than expectation of coming home with the prize.  

This category was the twelfth of fourteen awards presented on the night, so it was a very nervy wait for the team, so when GB and England defender, Giselle Ainsley, opened the envelop and announced Caradon as the winners it was met with disbelief and huge excitement. The team made their way to the stage to collect their award, jubilant to achieve the highest of accolades from the sport’s governing body. 

Caradon Women’s 1st XI have had a remarkable season by gaining back-to-back promotions, progressing from West Division 2 South to West Division 1 South and now for the 2023-24 season about to step into the West Premier League.  
This season they won the West League Division 1 South winning 17 games, drawing 2 and only losing 3 matches. They achieved a total of 53 points, scoring 88 goals and only conceding 28 – an incredible tally considering this was their first time in playing in this league.   
 
What makes this such an achievement is that it is the same core squad of 13 players who gained promotion from the previous year. The team consists of real club players who have played from the conception of the club in 2007. It also contains 6 players who have worked their way up from the clubs U10 section; 3 of them were playing for the Clubs 4th XI only 4 years ago playing in the bottom league of the West pyramid.  

The team has a real family feel as it contains 2 sisters, 2 cousins and an aunt and niece with the team ranging in age from 17 to 47 – all-in-all a great mix of youth and experience! 
Being a relatively small squad, they have showed unwavering commitment to both matches and weekly training nights, determined to follow the teams’ ethos of being ‘the best you can be’.  
When not on the pitch, three of the teams’ members are volunteer junior coaches, helping to continue the pathway for young players within the club, whilst a further three hold club committee roles ensuring that the future of the club can be progressed in the right manner. It has been such a brilliant season from an exceptional group of individuals. 

 
Caradon Hockey Club are very proud of the teams’ achievements over the years, and this really is the cherry on top of the cake. Seeing Caradon Hockey Club in lights, on the biggest stage, is testament to all the hard work by the clubs past and present committee members, players, officials and volunteers over the years and to be named as Women’s Team of the Year – well it just doesn’t get better than that! 

Caradon HC will use this latest achievement to continue to inspire its junior and senior members in an environment where hockey is fun and for everyone regardless of age, gender, or ability. If you are interested in joining this family friendly and successful club, please contact them via the contact form on the Caradon Hockey Club website, email address: caradonhockey@gmail.com or contact them through any of their social media channels.