Platinum Medal Dinner Awards end in style as Michelle Heyman claims top prize
It was to be NSW women?s football night of nights as selected players and teams from both the Arrive alive Women?s Premier and Super League were rewarded for their tremendous efforts in 2009.
The award everybody was waiting for, the Platinum Medal was awarded to Illawarra Stingrays? prolific striker Michelle Heyman who took out the coveted prize.
Her terrific achievements for the Stingrays in what was a successful season for the club having been crowned both Premiers and Champions was virtue of the fantastic season Heyman had.
The 21-year-old striker from Shellharbour was also potent in attack having notched up an amazing 24 goals in 21 matches which caught the attention of Westfield W-League outfit Central Coast Mariners where she has since starred.
“It’s been a fantastic season for everyone involved at the Stingrays but it’s been deserved for the amount of hard work both the players and officials put in throughout 2009 to make this year such a huge success for us.
“I have been fortunate enough to have been given great teammates which has progressed me further as a player and hopefully I can continue my good form with the Mariners.
“It’s been a good start for me however I know that I have much to learn in getting to where I want to be and hopefully one day pulling on that Australian jersey.”
It was to be the first of two awards presented to Heyman on the evening as the talented female football star also took out the Debbie Tait Memorial Trophy (Golden Boot) award alongside Macarthur Rams striker Stephanie Haim scoring 24 goals for the season.
Sticking with the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League, Macarthur Rams? consistent and reliable shotstopper Michelle Grigg took out the Goalkeeper of the Year award while Manly United?s clever tactician Larry Bates took out the Coach of the Year award.
Manly United?s promising young prospect Rachel Marr was given the Premier League Reserve Grade Player of the Year award while referee Peta McCallum was given the plaudits of being awarded the Premier League Referee of the Year award.
In other Arrive alive Women?s Premier League awards, the NWS Koalas won the Premier League Club Championship award while Sutherland Sharks were awarded the Premier League Fair Play Award.
Meanwhile in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League, it was Inter Lions? inspirational star attacker and Catherine Cannuli who took out the Player of the Year award beating a number of potential stars.
The 23-year-old?s majestic performances for the Lions caught the attention of Westfield W-League outfit Sydney FC who have signed her for the 2009 season.
“It’s been a brilliant year for the club in general and I am very pleased that they’ve made the step-up towards the next level after winning promotion in the Premier League in 2010.
“2009 has been a great year for all involved from the players to the coaching staff to finally the officials who have made this season what it was, a very successful one.”
Western NSW Panthers keeper Sarah Hunt was awarded the Super League Goalkeeper of the Year award while Inter Lions? talented attacker Danielle Calvi took out the Golden Boot award with 24 goals for the season.
Southern Branch?s Rachel Potter was given the honours of being the new Reserve Grade Player of the Year winner while the Inter Lions took out the Super League Club Championship and Southern Branch was awarded the Super League Fair Play Award.
Football NSW?s Ross Anderson was given the media award for his outstanding services in promoting the women?s game to the best of its potential in the Arrive alive Women?s Super League while WIN TV and the Illawarra Mercury picked up the Arrive alive Women?s Premier League media award for their tremendous services to the game in 2009.
List of Award winners
SL Reserve Grade Premiers ? Western NSW Panthers
SL Reserve Grade Champions ? Southern NSW
SL 1st Grade Premiers ? Inter Lions
SL 1st Grade Champions ? Inter Lions
PL Reserve Grade Premiers ? Manly United
PL Reserve Grade Champions ? Illawarra Stingrays
PL 1st Grade Premiers – Illawarra Stingrays
PL 1st Grade Champions – Illawarra Stingrays
SL Fair Play Award ? Southern Branch
SL Club Championship ? Inter Lions
PL Fair Play Award ? Sutherland Sharks
PL Club Championship ? NWS Koalas
SL Golden Boot ? Danielle Calvi (Inter Lions) ? 24 goals
Debbie Tait Memorial Trophy (PL Golden Boot) ? Michelle Heyman (Illawarra Stingrays) & Stephanie Haim (Macarthur Rams) ? 24 goals
Super League Media Award ? Ross Anderson
Premier League Media Award ? WIN TV & Illawarra Mercury
PL Referee of the Year ? Peta McCallum
PL Coach of the Year (1st Grade) ? Larry Bates (Manly United)
SL GK of the Year ? Sarah Hunt (Western NSW Panthers)
PL GK of the Year ? Michelle Grigg (Macarthur Rams)
SL Reserve Grade Player of the Year ? Rachel Potter (Southern Branch)
SL 1st Grade Player of the Year ? Catherine Cannuli (Inter Lions)
PL Reserve Grade Player of the Year ? Rachel Marr (Manly United)
PL 1st Grade POY (Platinum Medal) ? Michelle Heyman (Illawarra Stingrays)
Previous Platinum Medal Winners
2001 ? Leanne Taylor (Manly United)
2002 ? Erica Halloway (Bathurst City Panthers)
2003 ? Michelle Carney (Macarthur Rams)
2004 ? Sandra Stavrou (UNSW)
2005 ? Astrid Larssen (Sydney University)
2006 ? Vanessa Hart (Bathurst Panthers)
2007 ? Lisa Gilbert (NWS Koalas)
2008 ? Stephanie Haim (Macarthur Rams)
2009 ? Michelle Heyman (Illawarra Stingrays)
Previous Super League Medal Winners
2001 ? Jinny Cuthel
2002 ? Bronwyn Jarvis (Roselands Raptors)
2003 ? Angela Treglia (Roselands Raptors)
2004 ? Katie French (Southern Branch)
2005 ? No Award was given
2006 ? No Award was given
2007 ? Astrid Larssen (Sydney University)
2008 ? Gillian Rosconi (Western NSW Panthers FC)
2009 ? Catherine Cannuli (Inter Lions)
Previous Goalkeeper of the Year Winners
2001 ? Cassandra Kell
2002 ? Dimitra Poulos (Wollongong Wolves)
2003 ? Simone Czech (Macarthur Rams)
2004 ? Dimitra Poulos (Wollongong Wolves)
2005 ? Dimitra Poulos (Southern Branch)
2006 ? Sarah Gollop (Illawarra Stingrays)
2007 ? Alison Lounge (Central Coast Lightning)
2008 ? Emma-Kate Dewhurst (Sydney University)
2009 ? Michelle Grigg (Macarthur Rams)
Previous Debbie Tait ?Golden Boot? the Year Winners
2001 ? Joanne Peters
2002 ? Julia Bazi (Marconi Stallions)
2003 ? Michelle Carney (Macarthur Rams)
2004 ? Leena Khamis (Macarthur Rams)
2005 ? Fab Perfillio (Marconi Stallions)
2006 ? Michelle Carney (Illawarra Stingrays)
2007 ? Leena Khamis (Macarthur Rams)
2008 ? Stephanie Haim (Macarthur Rams)
2009 ? Stephanie Haim (Macarthur Rams) & Michelle Heyman (Illawarra Stingrays)
Previous Arrive alive Premier League Premiers
2001 ? Sutherland Sharks
2002 ? Northern NSW Academy
2003 ? NSW Academy
2004 ? Marconi Stallions
2005 ? Marconi Stallions
2006 ? Marconi Stallions
2007 ? Macarthur Rams
2008 ? Macarthur Rams
2009 ? Illawarra Stingrays
Previous Arrive alive Premier League Champions
2001 ? Northern NSW Academy
2002 ? Marconi Stallions
2003 ? NSW Academy
2004 ? Marconi Stallions
2005 ? Marconi Stallions
2006 ? Marconi Stallions
2007 ? Macarthur Rams
2008 ? Macarthur Rams
2009 ? Illawarra Stingrays
-By Mark Stavroulakis
