Harborne Hockey Club is incredibly proud of long serving club member Josie Morris who has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's 2021 Birthday Honours for her services to manufacturing and the environment.

Those who know Josie won't be surprised to hear that despite her amazing achievement, she didn't quite believe it to be true. When she spoke to me the morning after the announcement, it still hadn't quite sunk in: "I am absolutely blown away to receive this award. When I first heard, I actually didn't believe it was real, and spent a while googling to see how I could find out it if was! I have been speechless ever since, it feels surreal and is something that was certainly never on my radar as possible."

Josie is the managing director of eco-packaging firm Woolcool in Stone, Staffordshire, a company that supply sustainable insulated packaging for the shipment of temperature sensitive products both in the Food and Pharmaceutical sector. This includes everything from meat boxes, cheese selections and chocolate, through to vaccines, insulin, and chemotherapy treatments. The environmentally friendly firm, and one of our longstanding club sponsors, has only gone from strength to strength with Josie at the helm, most recently winning Small Family Business of the Year 2020 amongst a host of other accolades. "We believe in business as a force for good and creating a community, making people and planet at the forefront of all our decision making," Josie explained.

Being such a team player, it's hardly surprising Josie was keen to give credit and thanks to those in the 50-strong Woolcool team she leads: "This award is such a personal honour, however I don’t believe it could have been achieved without the awesome people around me. I cannot thank the team enough, especially in what has been a challenging 12 months for everyone. In my mind this award is shared with those around me too. I’m so proud, it means so much."

Josie's dedication to Woolcool is mirrored by that she has shown to Harborne ever since she arrived as a fresh faced University of Birmingham graduate in 2010. Since then she has been the Ladies' First Team goalkeeper and has captained the team for the last three years. Her love for the club is evident for all to see. "Harborne is a true family club, not just in the way it has families involved, but in the way it makes you feel. It’s inclusive and caring, a hockey family is literally the best way to describe it," she said.

A popular and well respected member of the club, Josie's teammates and coaches speak very highly of her. None more so than Ladies' Head Coach Joey Turnbull who explained: "When Jose told me she had got the award I was completely blown away but at the same time not surprised. The dedication and energy that Josie has for everything that she commits to is second to none and I can’t think of a single person I know more deserving of the award".

Joey was also not surprised by Josie's eagerness to pay tribute to those around her. "Of course Josie was her usual humble self and credited her team at Woolcool as well as friends and family, but she is the driving force and is a true inspiration to those around her. This has been proven in her time here at Harborne, with her passion and motivation always pushing the team on to achieve their best," she added.

Josie looks back on her time with Harborne fondly: "Playing for HHC for over 10 years has been amazing, it’s a place I can go and feel supported and just have fun, meaning that any stresses can be left at the pitch side. Obviously I’m competitive too and every game is always fiercely contested by very passionate individuals."

The COVID-19 pandemic made the past year incredibly busy for Josie, as Woolcool were in huge demand. This combined with the curtailed hockey season means Josie is chomping at the bit for hockey to return next season. "I am looking forward to finally getting back to hockey after the last 12 months, it’s my safe space and one where I feel most at home," she said.

Although Josie will be hanging up her goalkeeper kickers, she is moving into a coaching role for the club which she is really looking forward to: "This coming season I am taking on a new coaching challenge, which is so exciting. Who knows where that might take us! Bring on the season."

Joey is also looking forward to working with Josie in this new role: "Obviously it is a real loss not to have Josie on the pitch, but I am really excited to get her input and energy in the coaching setup and I think her knowledge of defensive matters will be extremely beneficial."

Joey also added: "With an MBE in our team we’ll surely be unstoppable!!!" I like your thinking Joey, it should make for an exciting season!

Amazing stuff Josie, you are a complete legend on and off the pitch. If it was up to us you'd also get an MBE for services to Harborne Hockey Club for all the hard work and dedication you've given us over the years!