KEITH NEEDHAM TROPHY

Services or Excellence in Coaching 

Awarded to a person that has been significantly involved in the organisation of coaching or a person that has displayed excellence in coaching. Keith was a life member of TEM in the truest sense of the word. He joined East Malvern HC at around 8 years of age and was involved in it, and later TEM, for many years. At TEM HC Keith was a coach, player, umpire, groundsman and was the first President of the merged club. He was also the first recipient of the Bruce Hulston Award - a testament to his dedication and service to the club. Keith remained heavily involved in supporting the club until he passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer.

WINNER - JOSH POLLARD

Josh joined the men’s section as our head coach following an incredible playing career, winning multiple personal and team accolades for club and country. His task was to turn a recently promoted premier league team into a squad that can compete in their new division. For readers short of time, here’s the headline – Josh and premier team managed to emphatically deliver this aim, over two seasons which were ravaged with “unprecedented” difficulties thrown up by the COVID pandemic. 

However, this award is not entirely given based on that success. In fact, on the scale of our decision, the premier league team's victories had less influence than Josh’s wider contribution as head coach. Josh came into the club with a blank slate, with new coaches needing to be appointed across the grades. In his role, he was asked to not only change the fortunes of the premier league squad but to lay a blueprint for the entire section. 

This season has seen a more positive “unprecedented” event, all our pennant teams have been promoted, our reserves continued to be highly successful and, as already mentioned, the premier league team recorded their highest ever finish. This is down to that blueprint that Josh and his team drew out almost 2 years ago. Success does not come without hard work, and so it's credit to him and our other coaches that training attendance has been superb – all our teams come to games prepared, fit and with a plan. The culture of all our players has, again, changed for the better – Josh has installed a winning mentality across the board. 

If I could summarise, Josh has given the men’s section a winning identity and its for that, more than anything, that sees him win this award.