Fylde Hockey Ladies Captain Fran Loffler-Thompson was awarded with the ‘Unsung Hero’ accolade at the recent England Hockey Awards Dinner 2017.
Fran was presented with the prestigious award at the annual awards evening as the hockey family came together from all corners of the country to celebrate an incredible year of hockey.
Our hockey club has enjoyed a fantastic season with both the ladies first and second teams winning promotion, securing Fylde Hockey Club’s status as the top ladies club in the Lancashire area.
England Hockey said: “Fran has had a lifelong passion for hockey, celebrating 40 years from school hockey to Fylde HC (formerly Springfields HC). She has held a wide range of voluntary roles within the club and currently holds the role of Ladies Club Captain.
“Fran also finds time to umpire and coach, delivering hockey in local primary schools. Fran also holds the role of Vice-Chair for the Lancashire Central Women’s Hockey League and Secretary of the Lancashire Hockey Association.
“She is the heartbeat of the Club with the sole purpose of advancing and developing players and has been influential in the club’s transition to their new home at Mill Farm Sports Village.”
Fran said: “Fylde Hockey Club continues to raise the bar and set the highest of standards for hockey within the region. In the 90s we were the the forerunners in the move to playing hockey on Astroturf – now a mandatory league surface. We also initiated mini-hockey club leagues and junior development within our club and the last decade has seen us become an established North League club for ladies.
“In the coming 2017/18 season we will be making an exciting step change, whilst continuing and improving our strong, stable leadership of the club. We will be at our new home Mill Farm Sports Village, playing on an Olympic-standard pitch, with a 200-seat spectator stand and top quality clubhouse facilities.
“Our new ground has already been acknowledged by England Hockey as the regional Performance Centre.
“Our aim is to be the club of choice for hockey in the region with teams playing at the highest level of the game.”
All at the club are immensely proud of Fran. Well done!
