The winners were announced at the Hockey Writers’ Club annual awards presentation lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London.

Goalkeeper Hinch performed heroics in the women's gold medal match in Rio, denying all four of the The Netherlands’ goal attempts in the shootout that decided the final after a 3-3 draw in normal time.

The 28-year-old finished ahead of fellow gold medallists captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and defender Hollie Webb, who scored the decisive shootout goal in the gold medal match.

Hinch takes the award for the second consecutive year, after she produced a similarly stunning shootout win for England over the Dutch in the final of the 2015 European championships at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

She also won the award in 2013.

“It is a great honour to pick up this award which is made extra special off the back of so many strong individual performances in Rio,” said Hinch.

“It has been such a massive year for the team and there have been so many outstanding performances in the squad.

“As a group, we knew we had the potential to beat anyone in the world.

“It was just a case of getting it all together at the right time – and Rio was the stage where it happened.”

Fox won the men's player of the year award for the first time in his career in what was his final international season.

The Holcombe-based defender beat Great Britain's captain, and club teammate, Barry Middleton into second place.

British goalkeeper George Pinner completed a one, two, three for the Kent club.

Fox announced his international retirement late in 2016 after Great Britain finished a disappointing ninth in the tournament.

The 33-year-old also represented Great Britain at London 2012 where Great Britain finished fourth.

“I am very flattered to win,” said Fox.

“It is a great honour and something I didn’t really expect.

“Having retired from international hockey a few months ago, I had put that behind me.

“I am really delighted.”

Over the course of his career, Fox represented England 101 times and for Great Britain 63 times, scoring twice.