The King’s Birthday Honours has seen three people in the world of hockey awarded honours.
The honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK.
The three honoured are: Erroll Adrian Lutton (Lisnagarvey), Derek Salisbury (Neath) and Catherine Coombs (Redlands).
Erroll Lutton, who was awarded the SportMaker Club Performance Coach of the Year in 2023, is a Lisnagarvey coach.
From the juniors to the 1s at Lisnagarvey, he has been dedicated to coaching. “Erroll is a club man who also does DIY jobs around the club whilst ensuring everyone is enjoying playing hockey,” his citation read at winning last year’s award.
Derek John Salisbury was honoured with an MBE in the list for services to hockey in South Wales.
Salisbury has been involved with Neath HC for around 60 years and recently stepped down as chair.
Having started playing for the club – then named Steel Company of Wales Hockey Team – in the mid-1960s, he became Firsts captain in 1975 and, ten years later, Chairman of the club.
The club has enjoyed success with Derek at the helm, having represented Wales at the European Cup Winners Cup in Gibraltar and, in 1999 and 2000, won the first two seasons of Veterans Cups in Wales alongside Pembroke HC.
“During my tenure I have developed the club’s constitution and associated supporting management structure. My aim was always to make the club both inclusive and welcoming to all,” Derek told Hockey Wales recently. “This I feel I have achieved which I consider my main achievement.
Incoming chair Daniel Evans said: “The impact Derek has had on the lives of men in the community is incalculable.
Catherine Susan Coombs has also been awarded Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to hockey in Bristol.
She holds multiple roles at Redland Ladies Hockey Club as president, junior coach, manager and child welfare officer
Last year she was women’s Over 55s captain of Redlands which finished runners-up in the EH Cup.
