Sale United Football Club recently hosted its 2022 presentation night at the Sale Greyhound Club.
Cooper Coleman took out the SUFC senior men’s best and fairest award.
Coleman polled 47 votes to be the clear leader over runner-up Solomon Nash on 41 votes. Mace Irvine and Isaak Jondahl came equal third place on 25 votes, and Marrien Van Den Heuvel rounded out the top five on 23 votes.
Hollie Ryan won the senior women’s best and fairest award, making it back-to-back wins for the 18-year-old, pipping runner-up Camille Japhary by three votes. Jade DuVe, Emma Robb and Leyla Babuc all came equal third.
Reserves team best and fairest was won by Callum Campbell and Mitchell Lummis on 31 votes. Runner-up was Hamish Wain on 30 votes.
The second division best and fairest was presented to Milan Mitrevski, who received 10 votes, with the runner-up trophy going to Luca Haran on nine votes.
Isaak Jondahl won SUFC’s leading goalscorer award in the senior men’s and Dani Wilson in the senior women’s. Callum Campbell won the reserves golden boot trophy, while Luke Williams won second division.
Hayden John was the recipient of the Ben Piefke Most Determined Player award. John never gives up, has a strength that makes him stand out on the field, and was one of the club’s most outstanding players throughout the season. He stepped up on many occasions, and when the team went down to nine players against Traralgon, it was John who carried the team over the line for the win.
The John Errol Flynn Sportsmanship trophy was won by Lily Hargreaves.
Hargreaves is one of the fairest defenders you will come across; the way she carries herself on the field allows her to make connections with opposing teams which can calm any fiery situation that arises. She is respectful to officials and everyone both on and off the pitch and is very supportive of the younger players.
Teagan Fairbrother was announced as goalkeeper of the year after a stellar season in between the sticks. Fairbrother only conceded eight goals in 2022. She is one of the strongest goalkeepers in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, is a leader from the back, communicates well, is solid and reliable and, most importantly, can pull off the big saves when called upon during tough matches.
Goal of the year was hotly contested in 2022, with some memorable goals on show. Pratyush Gaonkar was named the winner for his goal in the reserves against Traralgon, which proved to be a turning point for the team for the rest of the season. Gaonkar took on four players and scored while the team was two players short.
The coaches chose the most improved players at the club. In the senior men’s, coach Anouk Meereboer chose Hamish Wain for his vast improvement since the start of the season, with being selected into the senior squad towards the end of the year. Emma Robb won the senior women’s award after working her way into the squad as a starting player. She performed exceptionally week-in-week-out and improved in all facets of her football.
Cooper Coleman was the senior men’s winner of the rising star award for the third time, while Sammi Kent won the senior women’s rising star award.
The coaches’ awards were won by Leyla Babus in the senior women’s, Solomon Nash in the senior men’s, Chris Kelsey in the reserves and Patrick Horgan in second division.
The winners for the 2022 players player awards, as selected by their peers, were Solomon Nash and Madelaine Breakspear.
Club person of the year was awarded to Paul McGrath. With many nominations received, it was McGrath who stood out as the winner. His efforts in both the senior and junior ranks at the club have helped the club grow on and off the field. He coaches the under 13s and the second division teams, mentors players, and gets them involved in coaching and other volunteer roles. He helped with tournaments, helps maintain club infrastructure, works behind the scenes, coached at country championships and gave a massive commitment to the club for the betterment of all involved.
The President’s Award was presented to Cameron Churchill. Churchill was chosen for his commitment to the club and the tenacity he has shown to ensure the club propels forward. He has brought an air of camaraderie among all four teams in the playing group and is a highly regarded representative of the club within the community. Churchill was a standout choice from president, Tom Breakspear, to win this year’s coveted trophy.
Special mention was made to Cameron Irvine for winning Football Victoria’s Male Volunteer Of The Year award and Madelaine Breakspear for winning Football Victoria’s Female Coach Of The Year award.
