James Collins claims 2021 Olympians’ medal at Hockey WA Annual Awards

WAIS hockey scholarship holder James Collins claimed the 2021 Olympians’ medal at the 2021 Hockey WA Annual Awards.

21-year-old Collins finished on 26 votes, two ahead of closest rival Ben Staines.

“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 said.

“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.”

The medal is another feather in the cap of the rising star, though Collins feels as though there is unfinished business.

“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.”

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

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

Collins also took out the Paul Gaudoin Youth Player of the Year Award.

Photo: Hockey WA