Smith, Cox the cream of SA crop

The news comes in the aftermath of what has been a massive two weeks of hockey action, with both the men’s and women’s senior inter-provincials taking place.

It’s the third time that captain Smith has been named senior men’s Player-of-the-Year, having captured the crown in 2008 and 2010. He was named this year’s winner for leading the side to a gold medal at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Japan in May last year, a period of intense pressure for the side.

FILE PICTURE: SA hockey team captain Austin Smith. Picture: Duif du Toit / Gallo Images.

And while their performance at the showpiece in London last year was disappointing – only finishing 11th – Smith rallied his troops and led from the front during a tough campaign.

Cox, nee Marescia, was given the senior women’s prize after successfully leading her side at their Olympic qualifier in India at the beginning of last year. Her performance in that event led to her being named Player-of-the-Tournament and the women’s captain also turned in a good showing in London.

This although the women’s side struggled much the same as their male counterparts and had to settle for 10th place overall at the Games.