State Leagues Gala Dinner rises to the occasion
The 2014 State Leagues Gala Dinner took centre stage at Sydney Olympic Park’s Allphones Arena on Friday 19th of September as players, coaches and officials attended what was a fantastic evening acknowledging the achievements from the Womens State League, Mens State League One and Mens State League Two seasons.
It was a fascinating evening as 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 Australian Sports Presenter and current ABC host Stephanie Brantz
The NSW State League Referee Award was up after the Fair Play and Club Championship awards were given respectively to kick off the evening as Jerry Bitas was crowned Referee of the Year for his achievements this season.
The official Media Award was then presented to Australian Jewish News’ sports reporter Adam Blau who was given the honour for his wonderful coverage for the course of the season; especially highlighting Mens State League One’s Premiers Hakoah Sydney City East monumental year that saw the club crowned Premiers as well as being involved in the Westfield FFA Cup.
Goalkeepers were next on the list and across the three categories, Prospect United’s Mario Farias, Gladesville Ryde Magic’s Kiriakos Tohouroglou and Womens State League’s Courtney Halpin from the Parramatta Ladyhawks were all crowned leaders in their competitions for 2014.
Golden Boot awards were next up and Prospect United’s Chris Camilleri claimed the top gong for his 13 goals this year. It was a joint win in the Mens State League One category as Hakoah’s Lloyd Owusu and Balmain Tigers’ Rosario Occhinpinti (his second in successive years) finished level with 17 goals. In the Women’s State League category it was one-way traffic as a clear winner shone bright with Bankstown City FC’s Samantha Muscat smashing all records scoring a massive 53 goals in season 2014, her second Golden Boot in successive seasons.
Coach of the Year was next and Hurstville FC’s Vjekoslav Zoric bagged the top award in Mens State League Two while former Socceroo Mark Robertson grabbed glory in what was a sterling year for Hakoah Sydney City East in the Mens State League One competition. Finally Nepean FC’s Allan Tasses basked in glory for taking out the Womens State League Coach of the Year.
The much anticipated Player of the Year awards were to be the final awards of the evening with Bankstown City FC’s Samantha Muscat scooping her second award of the evening being announced as the Womens State League Player of the Year after a fantastic year for the club.
Hurstville FC striker Denis Cutura grabbed the headlines in State League Two as he shone brightest with a spectacular season while finally it was former Adelaide United star striker Lloyd Owusu who too bagged his second award of the evening, taking out the Mens State League One Player of the Year award.
To view images of the evening click here
2014 State Leagues Award Winners Honour Role
Fair Play Award
State League 2 – Southern Branch
Womens State League – Gladesville Ravens
State League 1 – Western NSW Mariners
Club Championship
State League 2 – Rydalmere Lions FC
Womens State League – Nepean FC
State League 1 – Hakoah Sydney City East
Referee of the Year
Jerry Bitas
Media Award
State League Award – Adam Blau (Australian Jewish News)
Goalkeeper of the Year
State League 2 – Mario Farias (Prospect United)
Womens State League – Courtney Halpin (Parramatta Ladyhawks)
State League 1 – Kiriakos Tohouroglou (Gladesville Ryde Magic)
Golden Boot 1st Grade
State League 2 – Chris Camilleri (Prospect United) 13 goals
Womens State League – Samantha Muscat (Bankstown City FC) 53 goals
State League 1 – Rosario Occhipinti (Balmain Tigers) & Lloyd Owusu (Hakoah Sydney City East) 17 goals
Coach of the Year
State League 2 – Vjekoslav Zoric (Hurstville FC)
Womens State League – Allan Tasses (Nepean FC)
State League 1 – Mark Robertson (Hakoah Sydney City East)
Player of the Year 20’s and Reserve Grade
State League 2 – Frederick Ankumah-Sey (Prospect United)
Womens State League – Nadia Kolakovic (Southern District Emeralds)
State League 1 – Rod Cormack (Hawkesbury City)
State League 2 Player of the Year
Denis Cutura (Hurstville FC)
Womens State League Player of the Year
Samantha Muscat (Bankstown City FC)
State League 1 Player of the Year
Lloyd Owusu (Hakoah Sydney City East)
