Argentina ace among nominees for FIH Hockey Stars awards

Delfina Merino helped Argentina claim the women's World Hockey League Final title ©Getty Images

Argentina’s Delfina Merino is one of five nominees for the Women’s Player of the Year Award after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) released their shortlists for the 2015 Hockey Stars.

Merino top scored for Argentina at the Hockey World League Finals, with her three efforts helping the host nation triumph at the second edition of the tournament as they swept aside New Zealand 5-1 in yesterday’s final in Rosario.

The 26-year-old will face competition from Britain’s Alex Danson, Australia’s Jodie Kenny, South Korea’s Mi-Hyun Park and The Netherlands’ Lidewij Welten for the award, after they were selected by a panel made up of the FIH Athletes’ Committee, Continental Federation Presidents and FIH media staff.

Each of the nominees were selected based upon their performances at international events during the season, in addition to their overall contribution to the sport.

Australia’s captain Mark Knowles and his team-mate Chris Ciriello have been nominated for the men’s award to mark their superb performances throughout the season, which helped the world number one ranked nation secure the Hockey World League Finals title.

Despite finishing on the wrong side of the 2-1 result in the final, Belgium’s John-John Dohmen has also been nominated alongside Germany’s Tobias Hauke and The Netherlands’ Robert van der Horst.

“The ambition of the Hockey Revolution, our ten-year strategy for hockey, is to make it a global game that inspires the next generation,” said Leandro Negre, the FIH President, after the shortlists were announced.

“Our international players have a big role to play in making this ambition a reality.

“Hockey Stars allows the hockey community to celebrate these stars and provide recognition to the very best in international hockey.”

Men's Player of the Year nominee Mark Knowles captained Australia to the World Hockey League Final crown ©Getty Images

Five candidates have also been named for the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, with Germany’s Kristina Reynolds, Britain’s Maddie Hinch, The Netherlands’ Joyce Sombroek, China’s Dongxiao Li and South Korea’s Jang Soo Ji the contenders for the women’s title.

Meanwhile Ireland’s David Harte, Canada’s David Carter, Australia’s Andrew Charter, Germany’s Nicolas Jacobi and The Netherlands’ Jaap Stockmann are on the men’s shortlist.

Winners are set to be decided by the combined result of an online poll, which is open to the public until January 20, and a peer vote from fellow international players.

The public will also be able to vote for the Rising Star of the Year Awards with Dutch duo Xan De Waard and Maria Verschoor joined by Britain’s Lily Owsley, New Zealand’s Rose Keddell and Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst in the running for the women’s prize.

Germany’s Christopher Ruhr, Australia’s Blake Govers, India’s Akashdeep Singh, Ireland’s Shane O’Donoghue and Canada’s Sukhi Panesar are on the men’s shortlist.

Winners are set to be revealed on January 26, alongside the Coach of the Year and the inaugural Umpire of the Year Awards, which will be decided through a peer vote.

The public can cast their votes by clicking here.