Four new rising talents of the game were recognised as winners of the Hockey Writers’ Club youth and junior awards 2024 after presentations were made at the 41st annual awards lunch at the Union Jack Club, London.
The judging panel sought information from England Hockey coaches, clubs and schools, with the judges considering not just hockey ability but players’ personal qualities and potential for future development.
2024 Winners
Youth, Girls U18 – Liv Breed
Youth, Boys U18 – Kaden Draysey
Junior, Girls U16 – Biba Mills
Junior, Boys U16 – Jake Glew
Youth, Girls U18 – Liv Breed (East Grinstead/Loughborough University)
Kent’s Olivia Breed is currently playing for Loughborough University after two years with East Grinstead. Aged 16 she was part of the team which won the Women’s Premier Division title and gold at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Championships
She has represented England at U16 and U18 levels and at the age of 17 was a travelling reserve for the Junior World Cup in Chile before winning a bronze medal in last summer’s U21 European Championships in Terrassa. She has also just been selected onto the GB Elite Development Programme.
Her hockey journey started aged 10 at Sevenoaks HC before joining Knole Park for four successful years winning both national indoor and outdoor titles. Having run junior cross-country for England, she had to decide between athletics and hockey. At 13 she moved to Brighton College where her hockey continued to flourish winning a bronze medal in the Independent Schools Hockey Cup and reaching the Tier 1 National quarter-finals.
Nominated coaches said that Liv had “a phenomenal 12 months”.
Youth, Boys U18 –Kaden Draysey (Wimbledon HC, Peter Symonds College)
In 2021, Hampshire teenager Kaden was part of the Trojans team which won the U14 boys National Cup and with the Wessex Leopards team which won the last Future’s Cup.
Two years later more success followed with Wimbledon mens’ 2s who were promoted to the National League while an unbeaten Trojans won both the U16 boys National Cup and league. He made his Premier Division debut with Wimbledon against Old Georgians in April 2023 and last year was part of the gold medal winning GB U21 Johor team, aged 17, and finished top scorer for good measure.
He was born in Hampshire in 2006 and started hockey at Durlston school aged seven.
England Hockey coaches said: “He performed excellently over the course of the year with humility and tenacity.
“What sets him apart from others is his will to maximise his potential through additional sessions, perfecting his drag flicking and all done with a beaming smile on his face!”
Junior, Girls U16 – Biba Mills (East Grinstead, Brighton College)
The Sussex-born former Ardingly College pupil started her career aged four at East Grinstead HC, following in her father and grandfather’s footsteps
In 2021, she spent two seasons at Knole Park HC and was selected, aged 14, for England U16s in 2022. In September 2023, she signed for East Grinstead women and scored eight goals in 10 matches.
At last January’s Super 6s she finished top scorer on finals night as EG won the title. Last month, she finished 2nd highest goal scorer with 18 goals as EG progressed to the finals and defended their title.
Her goal scoring exploits are evident. She scored 22 international goals over the 2023/2024 season with England U16’s and finished phase 1 of this season’s Women’s Premier Division as top scorer.
England Hockey coaches said: “Her relentlessness, competitiveness and dedication inspired her teammates and helped to make her an excellent captain and leader both on and off the field.”
Junior, Boys U16 – Jake Glew (Ashford HC, Hampstead & Westminster HC)
Surrey-born Jake started playing for Ashford HC men’s 1s at 13, receiving colt of the year award in his first season. Further accolades followed with Spelthorne Young Sportsman Youth award at 14 and player of the season for Ashford 1s the same year.
Aged 15, Jake moved to Hampstead & Westminster to play in their U18 Tier 1 and plays in their men’s 2s at national league level.
He will sometimes umpire matches and help coach other youngsters especially his younger siblings.
The EH coach who nominated Jake said: “He has an unbelievable work ethic, a fantastic attitude and is a wonderful role model already. Jake is a kind, hard working, humble player who loves the game and has gone from strength to strength in a very short time.”
Past winners of the youth awards include Rio Olympic Games gold medallists Maddie Hinch and Sophie Bray.
