A QUEEN’S College hockey talent has won a prestigious writers’ club prize.

Tim Nurse has been named as winner of the ‘Youth, Boys 18 and under’ accolade as part of the Hockey Writers’ Club Higgins Group youth and junior player of the year awards.

Maddie Hinch, former King’s College student and Rio 2016 gold medallist, won the Higgins UK Youth and Junior women’s award in 2006.

Queen’s student Nurse, aged 17, has already been capped seven times for England Under-18s, having made 14 England Under-16s appearances.

The midfielder currently plays for Isca in the England Hockey League (West Conference), having previously been at Bournemouth from Under-8s to Under-16s level.

This season he helped Queen’s Under-18s to their first ever appearance at the national indoor finals this month, having been crowned West champions in December.

Last term, Nurse also coached the Queen's girls’ U14A team, who won the Somerset county tournament.

Somerset County Gazette:

PRIZE: Tim Nurse with Richard Higgins, chairman of the Higgins Group plc.

Queen's director of hockey Ian Haley said: "All of us are exceptionally proud of Tim's achievement.

"He has been a great role model on and off the pitch for our young aspiring sportsmen and women.

"His commitment to his own hockey has been very professional and he has shown a talent for coaching.

"I am looking forward to the months ahead in which Tim will play a big part in his various hockey teams."

Nurse was presented with his award on Wednesday in Knightsbridge, London.

The judging panel attended youth events and sought information from coaches, regarding hockey ability, players’ personal qualities and their potential for development.

Full 2016 winners: Girls 18 and under - Kate Axford; Boys 18 and under - Tim Nurse; Girls 16 and under - Darcy Bourne; Boys 16 and under - Alex Pendle.