Great Britain honours cap recipients on the steps of Havant Hockey Club. James Midgley (on behalf of Roger Midgley), David Whittle, Don Williams, Chris Pickett, Brian Purdy, Val Lewis (on behalf of Jimi Lewis), David Faulkner, Calum Giles, Sean Rowlands and Rob Hill with their GB international honours caps. Photograph: Keith Woodland; courtesy of Havant Hockey Club.

On Sunday 12 March 2023, the great and the good of Havant Hockey Club came together to celebrate their nine Great Britain (GB) players through the presentation of their international honours caps by GB President Sheila Morrow.

In a remarkable stint of organisation, the club managed to have all nine players either present or represented by family. Two of them attended virtually from Germany and whilst they could join in the chat, their families were present to receive their GB caps.

The players spanned from Roger Midgley, a bronze medallist at the 1952 Olympic Games who was represented by his son James, through to the present day. They included their Club President David Faulkner who masterminded the attendance, and Russell Garcia who joined from Germany, both of whom won Olympic gold in Seoul.

The Hockey Museum’s first clubhouse cap presentation proved to be a very special and emotional day and it was and our first use of Zoom to ensure everyone could be present in some form. It was a great success so if other clubs fancy a similar event please get in touch. Two of the players had previously received their caps at Lee Valley but returned with their caps on the day to join their seven clubmates.

A beautiful frame containing nine replica caps in miniature was also presented on the day. It will provide a permanent memento on the clubhouse wall.

Other clubs may well have nine GB players, but few can boast two GB Managers who were in charge at multiple Olympic Games. Havant HC therefore took the opportunity to honour David Whittle and Chris Pickett for their incredible service to both club and country.

Mike Smith, Hon. Curator and President of The Hockey Museum presenting the mini GB caps to Havant HC Chairman and former GB Manager, Chris Pickett.