OLYMPIC gold medal-winning hockey star Alex Danson will be the guest of honour at East Hampshire District Council’s annual Sports Awards ceremony.

Alex began her career at Alton Hockey Club and rose swiftly through the ranks to make her international debut at just 16.

She won gold with Team GB in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, adding to the bronze she won in London in 2012.

Alex will join stars, coaches and volunteers of all levels at next year’s East Hampshire Sports Awards (not to be confused with the Alton and District Sports Council Sports Awards) to celebrate all that is great in local sport.

Held at the Old Thorns Manor Hotel at Griggs Green, near Liphook, the annual event recognises outstanding achievements and sterling service in all sports across the district.

The winners are chosen from nominations submitted by the clubs, coaches or supporters themselves, or anyone who would like to acknowledge the achievements of another.

Categories include Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Disability Sportsperson of the Year, Volunteer of the year, and Coach of the Year.

Nominations close on January 6 and application forms can be downloaded online at easthants.gov.uk/sportsawards. The ceremony will be held on February 16.

District councillor Julie Butler said: “The sports awards is always a fantastic evening and a real celebration of the quality of sport played in East Hampshire.

“We don’t just reward the teams that have achieved excellence, but we also look to recognise the selfless volunteers who give their time to give others the opportunity to play.”

And she added: “If you know anyone that you feel deserves to be recognised for their efforts, either for a fantastic year of success or for years of hard work, then make sure you nominate them by January 6.”

Mrs Butler continued: “We are really excited to have Alex along on the evening.

“She is a great example of how playing local-level sport can spark a career that goes on to achieve amazing success at elite level.”

East Hampshire District Council is looking to help other young sports stars of the future fulfil their potential with the creation of its new Elite Sports Fund.

Grants are available for sportsmen and women, aged 10 to 24, to support their efforts to achieve full national, international and perhaps even Olympic honours.

The grants go toward travel and coaching expenses and qualifications or the purchase of clothing or equipment.

Applications for the sports fund can be made through East Hampshire District Council’s website at easthants.gov.uk/elite

-sports-fund and must be submitted by 6pm on December 31.