A little over a fortnight ago, the glitterati of Australian football gathered on video for one night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Representatives from local and state government, Macarthur FC, Football NSW, the FFA, and even the Matildas appeared to celebrate the STFA presentation night.
Held on Tuesday, October 27, the STFA gathered a hugely influential crowd of speakers to present awards to its players, coaches, supporters, and administrators for a successful season.
Federal member for Hume, Angus Taylor, and state member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman, opened the proceedings after some preliminary awards were announced in a short video.
"It's extraordinary that you've been able to achieve what you have this season under very, very difficult circumstances," Taylor said on video to the members of the STFA gathered at the Goulburn Workers Club.
"We all know how important local sport is to our community, and to be able to keep going through COVID, albeit under difficult circumstances, is a great thing for your clubs and of course for the community."
Mrs Tuckerman followed Mr Taylor, and expressed appreciation for the role played by the STFA in promoting women's football.
"Sport, particularly in mainstream media, has seen a significant shift focused on women's excellence in recent years from Ellyse Perry, Ash Barty, Sam Kerr, and of course our extraordinary Matildas," Mrs Tuckerman said.
"Australia and the world right now are participating in a never-before-experienced interest in women's elite-level sport, and as a result, the profile of women's sport is increasing every day.
"A new level of appreciation is ticking away for something that clubs like the STFA have known for many years, and that's just how good and entertaining at sport our women and girls really are."
Each speaker also presented at least one award, which ranged from the Male and Female Players of the Year in various age groups, through to awards which recognised the efforts of volunteers who support their clubs.
One such volunteer who received praise from Goulburn Mulwaree Council mayor, Bob Kirk, was Marulan FC coach, player, and administrator Daniel Cooper.
Kirk described Cooper as "a person that every organisation needs". With four children of his own, Cooper coaches four teams, plays for the Marulan AAM side, sets up, maintains, and packs up the fields every game day, orders equipment and uniforms, and referees.
"Daniel is truly the definition of what Marulan spirit is all about, and football in general," Cr Kirk concluded. "Like I said, every club needs a Daniel, and the existence of Marulan football over the last ten years has heavily relied on Daniel Cooper and his family's contribution and dedication."
There were also some special appearances from FFA technical director, Trevor Morgan, and Matildas defender, Claire Polkinghorne, who presented the Male and Female Rising Star Awards to Lachlan Scott of the Goulburn Workers and Brianna Norris of Stags FC respectively.
"I'm told Lachlan is a centre back, and his coolness on the ball and tactical knowledge means that nothing phases him," Morgan said.
"It's so amazing to hear that even at 14 years of age, Brianna was playing in the AAW competition, and won player of the match in the grand final," Polkinghorne continued.
FFA CEO James Johnson concluded the video by presenting the Outstanding Service to Football Award to Graham 'Fred' Eddy, for his decades of support for the STFA.
All awards recipients are listed below:
2020 Junior Boys Team of the Year
- Riley Smith - Under 13s Stags White
- Caolan Hazell - Under 13s Stags Retro
- Aimon Payne - Under 13s Stags 97
- Cooper Scott - Under 13s Workers
- Brock Thomas - Under 13s Stags White
- Ky Montanari - Under 15s Marulan
- Bailey Marshall - Under 15s Stags Black
- Hugh McCall - Under 15s Wollondilly Soldiers
- Wonselea Davis - Under 15s Workers
- Charlie McCall - Colts Stags 97
- Oscar Rose - Colts Crookwell
2020 Men's Team of the Year
- James Saul - Goulburn Strikers
- Brock O'Neil - Wollondilly Soldiers
- Brandyn Law - Stags FC
- Lachlan Yeadon - Goulburn Strikers
- Luke Hayward - Workers
- Thomas Sansom - Stags 97
- Robert Johnson - Crookwell Griffins
- Josh Phelps - Wollondilly Soldiers
- Aaron Swanson - Stags FC
- Brad McDowell - Stags FC
- Anthony Anable - Wollondilly Soldiers
Under 13s Boys Player of the Year
- Riley Smith - Stags FC
Under 15s Boys Player of the Year
- Ky Montanari - Under 15s Marulan
Colts Player of the Year
- Charlie McCall - Stags 97
Open Men's Player of the Year
- James Saul - Goulburn Strikers
Fair Play Award
- Crookwell Under 15 Girls
Junior Girls Team of the Year
- Darcy Berrell - Under 15s Marulan
- Ava Keast - Under 15s Stags FC
- Zandalee Reeves - Under 15s Stags 97
- Mikeely Gray - Under 15s Crookwell White
- Shadeegan Kearney - Under 15s Crookwell White
- Holly Doggett - Under 13s Stags Retro
- Isabella Brooks - Under 13s MBK
- Layla Primmer - Under 13s MBK
- Grace McCormack - Under 13s Crookwell White
- Emma McCormack - Under 13s Crookwell Red
- Baylee Broad - Under 13s Crookwell White
Women's Team of the Year
- Meg Rees - MBK
- Emma Fitzgerald - Stags
- Deborah Collings - Stags
- Regan Wood - MBK
- Brooke White - MBK
- Michelle Grigg - Stags
- Lauren Smith - Stags
- Ellen Ryan - MBK
- Frances Gooch - MBK
- Shannon Nolan - Stags
- Lily Panne - Stags
Under 13s Female Player of the Year
- Holly Doggett - Goulburn Stags
Under 15s Female Player of the Year
- Darcey Berrell - Marulan FC
Open Women's Player of the Year
- Meg Rees - MBK United
Game Leader Male Award
- Jerome Doodeman - MBK United
Game Leader Award Female
- Danielle Webb - MBK United
Team Encouragement Award
- Under 14s and Under 16s Girls Rep Teams
Coach of the Year
- Robert Scott Jr - Workers FC
Supporter of the Year
- Gary Mutton - Goulburn Stags
Club Person of the Year
- Daniel Cooper - Marulan FC
Male Rising Star Award
- Lachlan Scott - Goulburn Workers
Female Rising Star Award
- Brianna Norris - Goulburn Stags
Outstanding Service to Football Award
- Graham 'Fred' Eddy
While you're with us...
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.
