It’s with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Hazel Green (nee Broadbent) who was a long serving member of Sheffield Ladies Hockey Club.

Hazel was voted SHC W1 Player of the Year in 1999.

Hazel was encouraged to come and play at SLHC while still at college back in 1984 by her tutor, and also a former player, Elaine Burt who recognised her talent. With silky skills, super fitness levels and a tenacity that meant she rarely lost the ball, Hazel was soon playing in the first team.

Just as lively off the pitch with her quick wit, great dance floor moves and penchant for red wine, Hazel enjoyed many long evenings in the Abbeydale bar after matches. Similarly, hockey festivals were a big hit at Leek and Deeside where she and her husband to be Mike were part of the Sheffield teams playing there.

There are fond memories of Hazel turning up regularly in the 1990’s with her heavy green drill Yorkshire Electricity skirt on a hanger, such was her pride in presentation!! She was a member of the first team that secured back to back promotions in the early 90’s from the Yorkshire League Premier Division (1993/94) and North League Division 2 in SLHC’s first ever season (1994/95) playing at Regional League level.

Playing a key midfield role, Hazel was also part of the squad that won the England Hockey National Trophy ( above, front row, 4th from the left - in the sunglasses) at the new National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes in 2000. Finally, the squad secured promotion for the first time to the North Premier League in 2003 (below, back row, 1st from the left, Hazels last year at SHC.

Hazel never lost her love and passion for hockey or her fitness levels, even when battling cancer. She made so many long last friendships through the sport and so enjoyed catching up with many members at last year’s 40th anniversary reunion for the National Indoor Championship squad. It’s very poignant that Hazels last away game was actually at Abbeydale on 2 February this year, playing for her club of 20+ years, Phoenix against SHC 4th Team.

Hazel, on the right (with her Sheffield Ladies HC tracksuit on) but playing against SHC for Phoenix, with SHC's Caz Kay who were team mates in the W1s and Liz McVey of Phoenix and another former SHC player.

Hazel (58) leaves Mike and two girls, Jessica (19) and Emily (16). Her funeral will take place on Wednesday 16 April at Rotherham Crematorium (S65 3NN) and afterwards at The Hind (S60 4ET). Any donations can be made in Hazels memory to Rotherham Hospice.