Young-gun Collins claims coveted Olympians' Medal

Victoria Park defender James Collins has claimed the 2021 Olympians’ medal in stunning fashion at the 2021 Hockey WA Annual Awards at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth, becoming one of the younger recipients of the award in history.

The 21-year-old finished the night on 26 votes, with Melville’s Ben Staines coming second on 24, with the Vic Park defender lost for words at receiving the accolade.

“I thought I’d be lucky to get a few votes here or there if I’m being honest; to see my name up there towards the top early on in the piece was amazing and to run away with the medal is amazing, I’m over the moon,” Collins says.

“I thought that there were guys at Vic Park that probably played a lot better than me at times, so it’s really a nice feeling to be up there and be acknowledged in this way.”

Collins says that although winning the medal is a fantastic feeling, he feels as though there’s unfinished business, both at a club and state level.

“I’m really ready to get stuck into the Hockey One season that’s coming and I know the Victoria Park boys want to come back better next year and go one better and win it all.”

Collins’ future looks bright and after showing that he can compete with the best of the best, he still holds high aspirations for his hockey future.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I’ve received this award, it’s great recognition for all of my hard work,” Collin says.

“The dream one day is to hopefully pull on the Kookaburras kit, so hopefully I can still chase that aspiration.”

There’s no denying Collins is a young-gun to keep an eye on for the future, with the star also taking home the Paul Gaudoin Youth Player of the Year Award.

AWARDS

Olympians’ Medal

James Collins - Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club

Charlesworth Medal

Hayley Padget – YMCC Hockey Club

Madi Ratcliffe – Westside Wolves Hockey Club

Fairest & Best Goalkeeper for Men

Ben Di Sabato – Whitford Hockey Club

Fairest & Best Goalkeeper for Women

Elizabeth Duguid – WASPs Hockey Club

Paul Gaudoin Youth Player of the Year

James Collins – Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club

Rechelle Hawkes Youth Player of the Year

Amy Lawton – Suburban Lions Hockey Club