State Leagues Gala Dinner Shines
The 2016 State Leagues Gala Dinner took centre stage at Rosehill Gardens on Friday 23rd of September as players, coaches and officials attended, acknowledging the achievements from the Women’s and Men’s State League seasons.
It was a fascinating evening as both State League competitions across both genders got together in what was a monumental evening for the code in NSW hosted by Fox Sports’ Matthew Connellan.
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 Sebastian Brennan was crowned Referee of the Year in the State League Men’s for his achievements this season. While in the State League Women’s category, Sarah Ho grabbed the accolades after a flawless season.
Golden Boot awards were next up and SD Raiders’ sharpshooter Mitchell McLintock claimed the top gong for his amazing 33 goals this year State League Men’s category. In the State League Women’s category, it was a closely fought affair as APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ Christina Ferreyra and UNSW Lions’ Georgia Goulding both ended up on 20 goals sharing the award. St George FC’s Renee Mansour grabbed the State League Women’s Reserve Grade plaudits with 24 goals while UNSW’s Bede Leyland bagged the Golden Boot in the State League Men’s U20 Category finishing up with 17 goals.
Goalkeepers were next on the list and across the two categories, APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ Courtney Halpin was the best in her league with the Women while Hurstville FC’s Michael Rutherford and Camden Tigers’ Matthew Johnson were crowned joint leaders in the State League Men’s competition for 2016.
Coach of the Year was next and Hurstville FC’s Alex Prophet claimed the big prize for what was a great year for the club – it was Hurstville FC’s second consecutive coaching award while Gladesville Ravens’ John Cook was voted the number one coach from his fellow peers in the State League Women’s competition.
The much anticipated Player of the Year category were to be the final awards of the evening with the Women’s State League competition seeing Western NSW Mariners’ Kayla Steeden scoop the major award of the night. The 21-year-old midfielder was electric for the Mariners and proved to be the go to player during the course of the season.
Camden Tigers’ Jayden Russell then clinched the honours of the number one player in the State League Men’s after a fantastic year with the club. The 21-year-old striker impressed many onlookers with his trickery, pace and skill which earned him the big award.
St George FA’s Michael Kotzambasis took out the State League Men’s U20 Player of the Year Award while Celeste Loyzaga from the Gladesville Ravens took out the State League Women’s Reserve Player of the Year.
2016 State Leagues Award Winners Honour Role
Fair Play Award
State League Men’s – Hurstville City Minotaurs
State League Women’s – St George FC
Club Championship
State League Men’s – St George FA
State League Women’s – Gladesville Ravens
Referee of the Year
State League Men’s – Sebastian Brennan
State League Women’s– Sarah Ho
Goalkeeper of the Year
State League Men’s – Matthew Johnson (Camden Tigers) & Michael Rutherford (Hurstville FC)
State League Women’s– Courtney Halpin (APIA Leichhardt Tigers)
Golden Boot 1st Grade
State League Women’s Reserve – Renee Mansour (St George FA) 24 goals
State League Men’s U20 – Bede Leyland (UNSW) 17 goals
State League Men’s – Mitchell McLintock (SD Raiders) 33 goals
State League Women’s – Christina Ferreyra (APIA Leichhardt Tigers) & Georgia Goulding (UNSW Lions) 20 goals
Coach of the Year
State League Men’s – Alex Prophet (Hurstville FC)
State League Women’s – John Cook (Gladesville Ravens)
Player of the Year 20’s and Reserve Grade
State League Women’s Reserve – Celeste Loyzaga (Gladesville Ravens)
State League Men’s 20s – Michael Kotzambasis (St George FA)
Women’s State League Player of the Year
Kayla Steeden (Western NSW Mariners)
Men’s League Player of the Year
Jayden Russell (Camden Tigers)
