Lifetime Achievement Award

The Club was delighted to see Richard collecting his lifetime achievement award at last Friday’s Sports Awards evening, attended by over 100 people from all the sports clubs across the Winchester city & district.

Richard Macer has dedicated more than 40 years to shaping, growing and inspiring the hockey community across Winchester, Hampshire and the South of England. Since the early 1980s, he has coached youth players week in, week out, in all weathers, while also engaging schools, supporting other clubs and serving on key committees including Hampshire Hockey Association, the South Hockey League and England Hockey.

His influence reaches far beyond the pitch: Richard has motivated parents to become coaches, umpires and team managers, supporting a volunteer network that has strengthened the sport for generations. He has coached a second generation of young people, having previously coached their parents, and hundreds—if not thousands—of players have progressed through his guidance at club, county and regional level, with a good number reaching national trials and representing their country.

Local schools now have hockey programmes that simply would not exist without his involvement. Alongside his coaching, Richard has played for Winchester since 1978, captained multiple teams, achieved his Level 3 coaching award, and served the club in roles such as membership secretary, archivist, 1st XI manager and long standing age group coach. His enthusiasm for hockey has never wavered; he continues to give back through playing and umpiring, embodying commitment, generosity and passion.

This year he competed in the National Cup Competition for O75s in the South Central team which they went on the win in June. Richard stands out because his contribution has been transformational, enduring and deeply inspiring—a lifetime of service that has shaped the sporting community and left a legacy that will continue into the future.

The award to Richard was made by Andy Eymond, chair of the charity Sport Winchester.