Volunteer coach Lochlann Kaye has been recognised for helping GB’s first ever hockey team to win gold at last month’s Special Olympics World Games.
Aged just 20, Lochlann was presented with the Rising Star Award at the prestigious England Hockey Awards, a glittering awards ceremony celebrating achievements at all levels of hockey.
The award caps a remarkable journey for Lochlann who first got involved in hockey as a nine-year-old and started coaching as a 15-year-old with Wakefield Flyerz, part of Wakefield Hockey Club, which is an inclusive hockey team and part of a wider grassroots disability programme.
“Winning gold at Berlin 2023 was a mixture of emotions,” said Lochlann.
“Happiness and pride mainly as the players had worked so hard to achieve what they had, but I was also a bit sad that the competition was over as it had been an amazing experience for us all.”
Having been part of the Special Olympics GB movement for the first time, Lochlann now wants to build on its success of Berlin 2023 and get more athletes involved in the Flyerz programme across the country.
Flyerz Clubs are friendly and inclusive, welcoming disabled and non-disabled people of all ages and abilities as well as their families. The sessions and equipment are adapted to ensure inclusivity of any disability and long-term health condition.
“I’ve seen such great development in my players at Wakefield since they got involved in Flyerz,” said Lochlann.
“Particularly those who were part of the team in Berlin, who have so much more confidence because of being in that team environment and playing alongside new teammates.”
To learn more about Flyerz and to find a local club go to www.englandhockey.co.uk
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