IT has been an amazing year for Scotland defender Catriona Ralph, now it has been capped with the women`s player of the year award just announced by Scottish Hockey.

The year started on the domestic front when Ralph led her side Milne Craig Clydesdale Western to their first championship since 2006, she then collected her 150th cap during the FIH Champions Challenge at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, and finally she ended her international career at the same venue representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

"What a great way to finish off my international career in front of an amazing crowd at our home Commonwealth Games, 2014 really has been an unforgettable year," Ralph reflected.

And there can be no doubt of Ralph`s total dedication to the sport of her choice. "It`s been a huge challenge, I`ve had to fit training round my work and find that balance. I`ve had to make big sacrifices, training before and after work, playing at weekends, I found the weeks just rolled on.

"You do it because you love it, and you do it to be the best you can for your country."

The 30-year-old physiotherapist also rose to the challenge of being a full-time athlete in the four months prior to the Commonwealth Games. "This was a massive eye opener. I loved the opportunity to be full-time which I thought I would never have the chance to be. The ability to focus solely on one thing was amazing."

Ralph made the effort to improve her game by spending two years with crack Dutch side Klein Zwitzerland in the most competitive league in the world.

Ralph signed off by paying her tributes. "I could not have achieved this level of success on my own, so I would like to thank my family, coaches and the Scottish Institute of Sport for their dedicated support over the years."

The men`s award went to Western Wildcats goalkeeper Gavin Sommerville, he did not make the final squad for the Commonwealth Games, but nonetheless put a string of stirring performances between the posts for both Scotland and his club during the year.

"I`m absolutely delighted to have been recognised for this award, also being a keeper it is even better to receive this!

"It was an honour to play for Scotland against top international sides, it was a great experience that I won`t forget."

The young player of the year awards have gone to strikers, Bromac Kelburne`s Jack McKenzie and Sarah Robertson, and the latter has just been added to the Great Britain Olympic training squad. At the start of this season she moved from Edinburgh University to Belgian side Leuven, now she is down south looking for a club close to the GB hub.

The women`s coaching award goes to Edinburgh University`s Sam Judge, under her watch the students won the Scottish Cup in May and presently sit resplendent at the top of the first division with a perfect record before the winter shutdown.

Keith Joss picked up the men`s award after guiding Hillhead from a relegation regular to fourth place in last season`s first division championship.

The umpire awards go to Martin Madden, he took charge of the bronze medal match at the recent World Cup and the final of the Commonwealth Games, along with Sarah Wilson who has just returned from officiating the final of the Champions Trophy.