Surbiton ladies captain Sarah Haycroft knows 2016 is a big year for her and is using disappointment in 2015 as her motivation.

The 24-year-old missed out on selection for the World League Finals in December last year, having also been left out of the squad that won the EuroHockey Championship title in August.

England and Team GB’s exploits in those tournaments saw the women’s team named the Sky Sports’ women’s team of the year award.

Head coach Danny Kerry’s team were also runners-up in the BT Sport Action Women team of year award.

And former Kingston Grammar School student Haycroft is determined not to be on the sidelines this year when it comes to the Olympic Games later this year.

“The awards reflect how successful 2015 has been for England and GB Women’s hockey, however for myself personally it has been another year of highs and lows,” she said in her column for this week’s Surrey Comet.

“Not being selected for the World League Series and the European Championships were definite lows.

“However, I do believe that I have learned more this year than I have any other, and I feel like I’ve become a far better hockey player because of it.

“I think this year was my turning point and I’m confident things will only get better for me from this point on.

2016 is such a huge year with the Olympics in Rio.

“This year has taught me is that all I can do is try my hardest each and every day to get selected and so whatever the outcome I can only be proud of myself.”

Investec, the specialist bank and asset manager, support women's hockey from grass roots level through to the national team - investec.co.uk/hockey or on Twitter @Investec_Sport