England and Great Britain hockey captain Alex Danson MBE, who lives in Marlow, is competing to be crowned Athlete of the Year after reaching the finals of this year’s National Lottery Awards – the annual search to find the UK’s favourite National Lottery-funded athletes and projects.

Since National Lottery funding for Olympic and Paralympic sport started in 1997, British athletes have won an incredible 860 medals.

The brand new ‘Athlete of the Year’ category provides a golden opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the UK’s world class National Lottery funded athletes, whilst demonstrating the impact National Lottery players have on elite sport.     

Danson beat off stiff competition from a longlist of 120 other worthy contenders to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards. Alex is one of seven finalists selected by the judging panel for their sporting achievements, passion for their sport and ability to inspire others.

Current England captain Danson has been an integral part of England Hockey’s most successful period in history. Boasting over 200 England caps and 100 goals in her glittering career, she was part of the squad that achieved gold in Rio 2016 and bronze in London 2012.

The victorious athlete will also receive an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded glitzy awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One on 26 September 2018.

Danson said: “I am absolutely honoured to be nominated for ‘Athlete of the Year’ at The National Lottery Awards.

"I also want to thank everyone who plays the National Lottery because their contributions allow myself and the rest of the squad to dedicate ourselves to this incredible sport, training every day in order to represent GB and England, taking on the best players in the world - so to be in the running for an iconic National Lottery Award is simply the icing on the cake.

"The shortlist is clearly incredibly strong and all the finalists would be worthy winners. But for me to win would be an incredible boost not just for myself but for the rest of the squad, and everyone involved in hockey.”

Other athletes nominated include Lizzy Yarnold and Duncan Scott.