NEWS

Ian Small wins 'Best Referee of the Year 2023' award

⏱ 20 Dec. 2023 - 15:12

Ian Small has won the prestigious 'Best Referee of the Year 2023' award during the 2023 Hague Sports Gala.

He won the prize among many prominent athletes from or playing for a sports club in The Hague.

Ian Small is a referee at The Hague Touch, where he whistles in The Hague during training days to ensure the team is in good hands

prepare for international tournaments. He also does this during the training of Touch Nederland.

In addition, he is committed to sportsmanship and respect on the field at the association.

Ian himself, unfortunately, was unable to receive the award due to circumstances, but was observed by

Hester Kannamuller is also a player of Den Haag Touch and Secretary of Touch Nederland.

Photo: Hester Kannamuller 2nd from the left, front row - Source: https://www.haagssportgala.nl

The Hague Sports Gala was hosted by GTST actor, Bas Muijs, who hosted the event during the evening and was allowed

to present the award together with a member of the NOC*NSF to Hester Kannamuller.



Although Ian Small wasn't able to be there, but he left a video message to the audience thanking them for the award.

Photo: Hester Kannamuller with Bas Muijs - Source: Facebook DHTopsport

The other winners of the Hague Sports Gala 2023 were:

• Sportswoman 2023: India Sardjoe. India became European and world breakdance champions last year. This year she won gold at the European Games.
• Sportsman 2023: Nathan Aké. This technically gifted central defender won the treble with his football club Manchester City: national champion, cup winner, Champions League winner.
• Sports team 2023: HIJS Hokij. This is the oldest and currently most successful ice hockey club in the Netherlands. Last year they won the triple again: Dutch Championship (BeNeLeague), the Cup and the super cup.
• Talent 2023: Maud van der Toorn. Maud was the first Dutch woman to become world junior boxing champion in the category up to 60 kilograms. And that included gold at the 12th Nations Women cup for Juniors.
• Coach 2023: Sarina Wiegman. Football coach Sarina also won the coach of the year award this year. She and her team won a silver medal at the World Cup with England.
• Referee 2023: Ian Small. Ian is a referee at Touch Rugby The Hague. He whistles in The Hague, Netherlands, at European tournaments and European Championships. He is committed to sportsmanship and respect on the field and at the club.
• Richard Krajicek prize: Leroy Gompel (winner), Bose Frohlich (second prize), Hamza el Boudounti (third prize). They literally and figuratively get The Hague neighborhoods moving, including sporting events where there is something for everyone.