Stars Shine at 2025 Futsal Gala Dinner
It was Futsal’s night of nights as hundreds of proud and passionate club members, players and supporters gathered at Doltone House Hyde Park on Thursday 18 December for the annual Futsal Gala Dinner.
The prestigious event celebrated an unforgettable 2025 campaign across the Futsal Premier League, Futsal Premier League 2 and the NOVA Employment AWD competitions.
Senior and Youth players arrived in style, mingling with Football NSW officials as the state’s Futsal community united to acknowledge this year’s outstanding performers.
With every club strongly represented, the room buzzed with energy and camaraderie, highlighting the continued growth and strength of Futsal in New South Wales.
Among the standout performers were several athletes who enjoyed exceptional seasons. Mascot Vipers star Ethan De Melo capped off a phenomenal year, claiming both FPL Coach of the Year honours and the FPL Open Men’s Player of the Year award, an extraordinary dual achievement. Sydney Allstars sharpshooter Jyden Harb added another chapter to his remarkable rise, securing the FPL Open Men’s Golden Boot for 2025 after already earning the 2024 FPL U19 Golden Boot and Player of the Year followed by clinching the League 2 Men’s First Grade Golden Boot and Player of the Year with the South Coast Flame.
UTS Northside Futsal’s Grace Arnold and SD Raiders Futsal’s Matthew Barkho also had an unforgettable season taking out the Golden Boot and Player of the Year plaudits in their respective leagues.
The AWD competition, proudly sponsored by NOVA Employment, also delivered compelling storylines. In his first year at the helm, Jacob Jones steered Central Coast United with distinction, earning the AWD Coach of the Year title. Meanwhile West City Crusaders striker Maison Beecroft lit up the league with an extraordinary 55-goal season, claiming the AWD Golden Boot and ending the long-standing dominance of Rocco Musumeci in one of the most memorable scoring campaigns in recent memory.
Football NSW also paid tribute to the referees whose dedication keeps the game thriving. Peter Liaros was honoured as Referee of the Year, while emerging official Joshua Kermond received the Mario Mazzeo Young Referee of the Year award.
2025 Futsal Gala Dinner – Award Winners
Coach of the Year
NOVA Employment AWD Futsal
• Jacob Jones (Central Coast United)
Futsal Premier League 2
• Tyson Black (South Coast Taipans)
Futsal Premier League
• Ethan De Melo (Mascot Vipers)
Golden Boot
NOVA Employment AWD Futsal
• Maison Beecroft (West City Crusaders)
Futsal Premier League 2
• 18 Women – Lucy Baggio (South Coast Taipans)
• 19 Men – Oscar Loveday (South Coast Taipans)
• Open Women – Zoe Anderson (South Coast Taipans)
• Open Men – Matthew Barkho (SD Raiders Futsal)
Futsal Premier League
• 17 Girls – Zoe Panagopoulos (Mascot Vipers)
• 19 Men – Junaid Codmani (Sydney Futsal Club)
• Open Women – Grace Arnold (UTS Northside Futsal Club)
• Open Men – Jyden Harb (Sydney Allstars)
Goalkeeper of the Year
NOVA Employment AWD Futsal
• Nathan Whalen (South Coast Taipans)
Futsal Premier League 2
• 18 Women – Alexandra Hones (APIA FC Futsal)
• 19 Men – Hunter Milne (Central Coast United)
• Open Women – Caitlin Britton (South Coast Taipans)
• Open Men – Shane Watson (West City Crusaders)
Futsal Premier League
• 17 Girls – Samantha Wilkinson (Dural Warriors)
• 19 Men – Aaron Hage (Mountain Majik Futsal Club)
• Open Women – Samantha Fulwood (UTS Northside Futsal Club)
• Open Men – Noah Feilich (Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club)
Player of the Year
NOVA Employment AWD Futsal
• Dean Triffitt (South Coast Taipans)
Futsal Premier League 2
• 18 Women – Emily Zerafa (South Coast Taipans)
• 19 Men – Connor Ireland (Central Coast United)
• Open Women – Zoe Anderson (South Coast Taipans)
• Open Men – Matthew Barkho (SD Raiders Futsal)
Futsal Premier League
• 17 Girls – Marlee Deane (Dural Warriors)
• 19 Men – Mikah Chilas (Mascot Vipers)
• Open Women – Grace Arnold (UTS Northside Futsal Club)
• Open Men – Ethan De Melo (Mascot Vipers)
Referee Awards
• Referee of the Year – Peter Liaros
• Mario Mazzeo Young Referee of the Year – Joshua Kermond
