Inaugural State Leagues Gala Dinner rises to the occasion
The 2013 inaugural State Leagues Gala Dinner took centre stage at ANZ Stadium’s Millennium room on Friday 11th of October as players, coaches, officials as well as a number of high profile guests attended what was a fantastic evening acknowledging the achievements from the Womens State League, State League Mens One and State League Mens Two seasons.
It was the first time all state league competitions across both genders got together in what was a monumental evening for the code in NSW which was proudly presented by the MC talents of George Moscos,
Football NSW Chairman Greg O’Rourke accompanied by Football NSW Directors Charlie Yankos, Mark Reading Simon Phillips and James Chetcuti as well as Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore were also part of what was a momentous evening.
Football NSW Referees Manager Kris Griffiths-Jones awarded Murray Wilson with the Referee of the Year award for his achievements this season.
Two Media Awards were given out on the evening and The Womens Game took out the Womens State League plaudits led by Ann Odong for their promotion of female football in NSW while Hawkesbury Gazette’s Matt Jones took out the Mens State League One award.
Goalkeepers were next on the list and across the three categories, Stanmore Hawks; Stacey Alogdellis, Gladesville Ryde Magic’s Kiriakos Tohouroglou and Womens State League’s Lana Ferreira from the Southern District Emeralds all were crowned leaders in their categories for 2013.
The much anticipated Player of the Year awards were to be the final awards of the evening with Western NSW FC’s Teigan Cox claiming bragging rights for being announced as the Womens State League Player of the Year after a fantastic year for the club.
Stanmore Hawks grabbed the headlines in State League Two as their players Lachlan Wright and Neil Phillippou were joint winners of the Player of the Year Award.
While finally Inter Lions’ South American import Miguel Martinez stole the show taking out the State League One Player of the Year award.
2013 State Leagues Award Winners Honour Role
Fair Play Award
State League 2 – UNSW
Womens State League – Western NSW Mariners
State League 1 – Dulwich Hill SC
Club Championship
State League 2 Stanmore Hawks
Womens State League UNSW Lions
State League 1 Northbridge FC
Referee of the Year
Murray Wilson
Media Award
Womens State League Ann Odong – The Womens Game
State League 1 Matt Jones – Hawkesbury Gazzette
Goalkeeper of the Year
State League 2 Stacy Alogdellis – Stanmore Hawks
Womens State League Lana Ferreira – Southern District Emeralds
State League 1 Kiriakos Tohouroglou – Gladesville Ryde Magic
Golden Boot 1st Grade
State League 2 – Neil Phillipou – Stanmore Hawks
Womens State League – Samantha Muscat – Bankstown City Lions FC
State League 1 – Rosario Occhipinti – Balmain Tigers
Coach of the Year
State League 2 Tony Basha – Fairfield City Lions
Womens State League Adrian Cox – Western NSW Football Club
State League 1 Mauricio Islas – Glanville Rage
Player of the year 20’s and reserve grade
State League 2 Nathan Attard – Fairfield City Lions
Womens State League Nicola Bonaventura – Parramatta Ladyhawks FC
State League 1 Agneesh Lahiri – Northbridge FC
State League 2 Player of the Year
State League 2 Lachlan Wright – Stanmore Hawks and Neil Philippou – Stanmore Hawks
Womens State League Player of the Year
Teigan Cox – Western NSW Football Club
State League 1 Player of the Year
Miguel Martinez – Inter Lions
*To view photos of the evening click here
-By Mark Stavroulakis
