PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – National players Kwandwane Browne and Kristin Thompson will represent the Trinidad & Tobago Hockey Board at the Sports Foundation national awards.
This after the duo were named as the T&THB’s Players-of-the-Year at its annual end-of-season awards function held on Sunday in the VIP Lounge at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The England-based Browne, who was voted to the Pan American Elite Team last month for a third straight time after an outstanding campaign, beat out competition from the four fellow national players Aidan De Gannes, last year’s winner Darren Cowie, Akim Toussaint and Dwain Quan Chan.
While Browne, who plies his trade in England with Canterbury Hockey Club was a shoo-in for the men’s top award, the decision to award Thompson the women’s honour came as a surprise to many.
Thompson, a regular on the national women’s squad, was a joint top-scorer in the national indoor and super indoor competitions.
She got the nod ahead of Kelli O’Brien, Michelle Leotaud and Stacey Siu Butt, as well as national goalkeeper Petal Derry.
There was much debate however, after the national duo and cousins, Curlyne Wynn and Belgium-based Blair Wynne were snubbed for at least a “Top Five” consideration after helping their clubs to three domestic titles while enjoying a good year in national colours.
More surprises came when Petrotrin (men) and Malvern (women) walked away with the “Team of the Year” accolades ahead of Queen’s Park and Notre Dame respectively.
O’Brien and national junior player Shaquille Daniel were voted as the Youth Players-of-the-Year.
