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Keller and Stacy FIH players of 1999

Natascha Keller of Germany and Jay Stacy of Australia and are the women’s and men’s International Hockey Federation players of 1999.

The FIH Players of the Year were selected after a selection panel, made up of umpires, coaches, journalists and athletes’ panel members voted for nominations received from various journalists and National Hockey Associations.

The selection panel chaired by Steve Jaspan (SAF) comprised of umpires - Christian Siebrecht (GER), Marelize de Klerk (SAF), coaches - Maggie Souyave (ENG), Toni Forellat (SPA), journalists - Claire Middleton (ENG), S. Thyagarayan (IND) and the athletes' panel of Liane Tooth (AUS), Carsten Fischer (GER).

Voting was based on various criteria such as leadership qualities, contribution to development, technique and skill, influence on team performance and personality.

The awards were announced at the field hockey Champions Trophy here on Thursday.

Natascha Keller, 22, who was voted Player of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy in Brisbane in 1999.has an Olympic family tradition. Her grandfather, father and brother were all Olympic medallists and she represented Germany in Atlanta in 1996.

Jay Stacy, 31, had an exceptional year in 1999. As vice captain of the Australian side, he has displayed excellent leadership qualities on the field. He is also a great ambassador and role model for many young hockey players.

Stacy (VIC) recently reached a personal milestone and national record of 300 caps for Australia to position himself as the third most capped player in international history.

Over 14 years Stacy has competed in three Olympic Games, three World Cups and twelve Champions Trophy's and today helps lead the team in the role of vice-captain. Regarded as the 'powerhouse' of the Australian team, his size and strength contribute to making his presence on the field felt by all.

Stacy is Australia’s most capped player at 307.

"Both Natascha and Jay have set such high standards that the FIH is only too pleased to give due recognition to the athletes’ outstanding achievements," said FIH President, Juan Angel Calzado, in announcing the awards.

Athletes nominated Women: Magdalena Alcega (ARG), Alyson Annan (AUS), Carmen Barea (SPA), Sonia Barrio (SPA), Britta Becker (GER), Kerry Bee (SAF), Tina Cullen (ENG), Rechelle Hawkes (AUS), Natascha Keller (GER), Heike Latzsch (GER), Anna Lawrence (NZL), Karina Masotta (ARG), Katrina Powell (AUS), Jill Reeve (USA), Jane Sixsmith (ENG), Carol Thate (NED), Dillianne Van den Boogaard (NED)

Men: Sohail Abbas (PAK), Stephen Davies (AUS), Teun De Nooyer (NED), Jorge Lombi (ARG), Joaquin Malgosa (ESP), Christian Mayerhofer (GER), Mirnawan (MAL), Greg Nicol (RSA), Dhanraj Pillay (IND), Benjamin J Sharpe (ENG), Seung Tae Song (KOR), Jay Stacy (AUS), Parag Umesh (NZL), Stephan Veen (NED), Michael York (AUS).

Courtsey: www.hockeyasia.com