Alex Danson

Alexandra Mary Louise "Alex" Danson (born 21 May 1985) is a retired English international hockey player who played as a forward for England and Great Britain. She played club hockey for Clifton Robinsons, Reading, Klein Zwitserland, Trojans and Alton.

Danson attended two independent schools, Yateley Manor Prep School and Farnborough Hill School, a Roman Catholic school for girls. Farnborough Hill School named their all-weather hockey pitch in her honour. She made her full international debut on 23 October 2001 against Germany. She won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Danson was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to hockey. Later that year Danson was announced as the England Women's Hockey Captain in June 2017 and led the team through to the last four in the semi-finals of the world league. Also in 2017, Danson launched the Alex Danson Hockey Academy, aimed at introducing young children to the sport through their schools to increase awareness and participation in hockey at a grassroots level.

She played her last international match on 2 August 2018, against the Netherlands. It was her 306th appearance for England and Great Britain. Danson announced her retirement from playing hockey on 20 February 2020.

Honours and awards Honours Representing Great Britain Olympic Games 2016 Rio de Janeiro: Gold 2012 London: Bronze

FIH Champions Trophy 2012 Rosario: Silver

Representing England EuroHockey Nations Championship 2015 London: Gold 2013 Boom: Silver 2011 Monchengladbach: Bronze 2009 Amstelveen: Bronze 2007 Manchester: Bronze 2005 Dublin: Bronze

Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow: Silver 2010 Delhi: Bronze 2006 Melbourne: Bronze

World Cup 2010 Rosario: Bronze

FIH Champions Trophy 2010 Nottingham: Bronze

FIH Champions Challenge I 2007 Baku: Bronze 2002 Johannesburg: Gold

Country London Cup Winner: 2012 London Cup Third-place: 2011

Reading Hockey Club EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy Winners: 2013 EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy Runners-up: 2014 Women's England Hockey League Winners: 2010–11, 2012–13; Runners-up: 2011–12 English Indoor Championship Winners: 2012–13, 2013–14; Runners-up: 2010–11, 2011–12 English League (regular season) Winners: 2011–12 English Indoor League (regular season) Third-place: 2013–14

Awards and nominations 2001 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Young Personality (runner-up) 2011 FIH World All Star Team 2011 Reading Sports Personality of Year 2011 UK Female Player of the Year (Hockey Writers' Club) 2011–12 Premier League Player of the Season 2011–12 Premier League Top Scorer 2012 London Cup Player of the Tournament 2014–15 FIH Hockey World League Semi-finals Player of the Tournament 2015 EuroHockey Nations Championship Player of the Tournament 2015 Sportswoman of the Year (Sports Journalists' Association) (4th place) 2015 FIH Women's Player of the Year (International Hockey Federation) (nominated)