A Belgian league title, a World Cup bronze medal, 10 goals on the biggest stage and now, the title of FIH Player of the Year. It's fair to say 2026 has been a year to remember for Tomi Domene.
After a standout season for Argentina and Waterloo Ducks, Grays athlete Tomi Domene, who plays with the Grays JB10, received hockey's highest individual honour in late October, rounding off an extraordinary run of achievements.
A few weeks on, with the excitement of the award beginning to sink in, we caught up with Tomi to reflect on the moments that made this year so special, what the recognition means to him and what the next challenges are.
1. How does it feel to be named FIH Player of the Year?
“It feels amazing, and honestly a bit surreal. Being named FIH Player of the Year is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. When I found out, I was speechless at first, and then I immediately thought of my family, my teammates and my coaches. Hockey is a team sport, and this award reflects everything we achieved together this year. I’m really proud, and it motivates me to keep improving.”
2. What has been your personal highlight of the year?
“If I had to pick one, it would be the moment we won the title with WatDucks. When the final whistle blew, I fell to the floor and cried a little, overwhelmed by the emotion of finally achieving something I’d wanted for so long. After so many years without a title, seeing the whole club celebrate was unforgettable, and it gave me the confidence I carried into the World Cup. For me, it was all one story: the title fed into the World Cup, and the World Cup made the whole year special."
“Waterloo Ducks has played a big part in my growth, on and off the pitch. We have very high-level players, so every training session is tough and competitive, and that makes the whole team better. The support around the club is incredible: the staff, the families, the kids and everyone who stood by us all season. This title belongs to all of us. I’m extremely proud, both for the club and for my career.”
3. What did the World Cup bronze and your 10 goals mean to you?
“Being the top scorer makes me very happy, but those goals belong to the whole team. Without my teammates, none of them would have happened. The bronze medal is the result of many hours of training, preparation and sacrifice together. Of course we wanted gold, but this medal told us we’re on the right path, and we’ll keep pushing until we get there.”
Want to check out Tomi's choice of stick? Shop the JB10:
[product]
4. What are your ambitions for the future?
“With Argentina, the big goal is the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. That’s the dream, and everything I do from now on is a step toward it. With Waterloo Ducks, I want to defend the Belgian title and fight for the Euro Hockey League, so we can keep competing at the top level in Europe. I want to keep improving every day, so that when those big moments come, I’m ready.”
From an emotional league title with Waterloo Ducks to World Cup success with Argentina and the ultimate individual recognition, it's been a year Tomi Domene won't forget. There's still plenty more he wants to achieve with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon and ambitions to compete for more silverware in Europe. We're excited to see where his journey takes him next.
Everyone at Grays Hockey would like to congratulate Tomi on an extraordinary year. We're proud to have him representing Grays on the world stage and look forward to supporting him in the year ahead!
Inspired by his year? Take a look at the Grays Hockey JB Range for the ultimate balance of power and control.
