OLYMPIC gold medal winning hockey star Alex Danson will be the guest of honour at East Hampshire District Council’s annual sports awards ceremony.

Alex started her career at Alton Hockey Club and rose swiftly through the ranks to make her international debut at just 16 years old.

She won gold with the GB team in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, adding to a bronze won in the 2012 London games.

Alex will join stars, coaches and volunteers of all levels at the 2017 East Hampshire Sports Awards to celebrate all that is good in sport.

Held in the Old Thorns Manor Hotel, in Liphook, on Thursday, February 16, the annual event recognises outstanding achievements and sterling service in all sports across the district. The winners are chosen from the nominations submitted.

The categories are: junior sportsman and junior sportswoman, senior sportsman and senior sportswoman, masters sportsman and sportswoman, junior disability sportsperson, senior disability sportsperson, coach of the year (male or female), volunteer of the year (junior and senior), school team of the year, team of the year (junior and senior), official (male or female), service to sport (male or female), club of the year, and outstanding personal achievement.

Nominees are assessed by a judging panel and winners are required to meet criteria specific for each category. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 6. Anyone who would like to download the guidance and nomination forms should visit www.easthants.gov.uk/sportsawards

Cllr Julie Butler said: “The sports awards is always a fantastic evening and a real celebration of the quality of sport played in East Hampshire.

“We don’t just reward the teams that have achieved excellence, but we also look to recognise the selfless volunteers who give their time to give others the opportunity to play.

“If you know anyone that you feel deserves to be recognised for their efforts – either for a fantastic year of success or for years of hard work – then make sure you nominate them by January 6.

“We’re really excited to have Alex along on the evening. She is a great example of how playing local level sport can spark a career that goes on to achieve amazing success at elite level.”

East Hampshire District Council is looking to help sports stars of the future fulfil their potential with its new Elite Sports Fund.

Grants are available for sportsmen and women, aged ten to 24 years old, to support their efforts to achieve full national, international and Olympic honours.

The deadline for applications is 6pm on Saturday, December 31. Visit www.easthants.gov.uk/elite-sports-fund to apply.