A WELLINGTON College student has secured a prestigious award.

Raphaella Robeson won the girls' Under 18 category when the Hockey Writers' Club held their annual awards presentation lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge on Wednesday last week.

She follows an illustrious cast of past winners, including Rio Olympics gold medallists, Maddie Hinch, who is rated among the best goalies in the world, and Sophie Bray.

When selecting their winners, the judges considered not just hockey ability, but the players' personal qualities and potential for future development.

Robeson plays for Wimbledon's Investec League Conference East team and club coach Simon Organ said: "She has done amazingly well, being such a young person within a very talented adult environment.

"I am very proud to see how she has developed both as a goalkeeper and how she has matured with her thinking and communication skills amongst older people."

Robeson helps to coach other young keepers at Wimbledon and has launched her own website, offering support and guidance to budding goalies.

She is also a fine swimmer, having twice completed two cross-channel relays for her school, helping to raise £8,000 for charity.

* AT the HWC awards, Bracknell News reporter Dave Wright, who also works for the Reading Chronicle and Slough Observer, was honoured for his 'outstanding service to hockey journalism' over more than 30 year.

He was presented with the Graham Wilson Memorial Award by Lisa Wilson, widow of the former Daily Express journalist. Their son, Tom, also died in tragic circumstances at the age of 22 after being accidentally injured whilst playing hockey.