Ellyse Perry has capped an amazing debut year for Canberra United by being voted the club’s ‘Player of the Year’ and ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ for 2009 at the annual Canberra United Presentation Evening on Sunday.
Ellyse Perry has capped an amazing debut year for Canberra United by being voted the club-s ‘Player of the Year- and ‘Players- Player of the Year- for 2009 at the annual Canberra United Presentation Evening on Sunday.
Perry was voted as the standout player of the season by Coach Ray Junna, and also received the ultimate accolade of being voted by her peers as the number one player for United during Westfield W-League Season Two, at the ceremony which took place in the Clive Price Suite at the University of Canberra.
To cap an amazing evening for the 19-year-old, Perry also scooped the ‘Leprechaun Trophy-, as voted by the supporters group, The Leprechauns. Perry has already been honoured this season by being named ‘Westfield W-League Young Player of the Year- two weeks ago.
Coach Ray Junna was effusive in his praise of Perry.
“Ellyse has been one of our most consistent performers all season,” Junna said.
“Her forays from the back, and her energetic running, coupled with her tenacity have made Ellyse an invaluable asset to the team. Hopefully she will now be rewarded further with national team selection again when the squads are announced.”
The dual football and cricket international payed ten matches for United in 2009, after signing from the Central Coast Mariners, ad scored her first goal for the club in the Round Ten 3-0 victory over Adelaide United.
Meanwhile, young starlet Kahlia Hogg was named as the Canberra United ‘Rising Star- for 2009 after a season that saw the 16-year-old midfielder appear in every match, starting five, and grabbing a spectacular first goal for the club in the 3-1 win at Newcastle Jets.
“Kahlia is an up-and-coming player who is technically very sound,” Junna said.
“In a young squad, she is the youngest and the potential is there. But now is the time that the hard work will start. Kahlia needs to take the next step and, for her, it-s not such a big leap, but it is a difficult part. She struggled with injury at the start of the season but has come on in leaps and bounds, so hopefully she will keep on improving at the same rate.”
Hogg, who made her debt for United in the opening round defeat to Brisbane Roar, is the daughter of former Socceroo Steve Hogg.
Finally, Co-Captain Ellie Brush was rewarded for a consistent campaign in defence by taking the ‘2XX Player of the Year Shield- ahead of some stiff competition from Perry and midfield dynamo Cian Maciejewski. Brush, along with goalkeeper Lydia Williams, is the only United player to have played in every single match or the club since its inception.
Awards Summary
Player of the Year – Ellyse PERRY
Players- Player of the Year – Ellyse PERRY
Rising Star – Kahlia HOGG
2XX Supporters Award – Ellie BRUSH
The Leprechaun Trophy – Ellyse PERRY
