Chief executive Sally Munday was presented with the gong at a glittering UK Coaching Awards ceremony in London which acknowledged the EHB's forward thinking and commitment to developing its system significantly in recent years.

A clear coaching pathway has been built around the single system player development pathway with the support of centrally contracted coaches and coach educators.

Embracing new technology, the EHB has launched a series of interactive coaching DVDs and, working closely with the other British hockey home nations -Scotland and Wales - is leading the development of a clear coaching strategy for Great Britain.

At the top level, the EHB's commitment to coach development has contributed to recent podium successes, including the England hockey women's hat-trick of bronze medal wins this summer, the England men's Champions Trophy silver medal and podium positions achieved by the national age groups.

Munday said: "This is great recognition for a number of years' hard work by a lot of people in our sport to radically change our approach to coach development.

"We are midway through a journey of significant improvement built around our single system development pathway and it is fantastic to be recognised for the progress we have made in the last few years."

Stuart Guise, head of governing body support at sports coach UK, said: "The EHB thoroughly deserves this award for its forward thinking and the commitment demonstrated to the development of coaches and coaching.

"It is great to see that in a sport the size of hockey, the EHB can have so much impact on its coaching workforce and be recognised for its work as a leading NGB in coaching."

David Faulkner, performance director at the EHB, said: "I am personally delighted that an independent body has recognised the work that the NGB and our volunteers in hockey are doing - it is a true team effort.

"This award is for all those who have believed in and contributed to what the EHB is trying to achieve in developing our player and coach pathway."