Canberra United has won an unprecedented six honours at the FFA awards ceremony with Sally Shipard claiming the Julie Dolan Medal as Player of the Year.
Canberra United has won an unprecedented six honours at the FFA awards ceremony with Sally Shipard claiming the Julie Dolan Medal as Player of the Year.
Shipard won the top award for the first time and was joined on the winner’s podium by Lydia Williams who was named Player’s Player of the Year. The United custodian also took out the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Head Coach Jitka Klimkova, who flew back from Europe for the ceremony, was unsurprisingly crowned Coach of the Year as she led her star-studded line-up to an epic 3-2 Grand Final win over Brisbane Roar and to the first unbeaten season in the competition’s four-year history.
Michelle Heyman was honoured with the Golden Boot for her twelve regular season goals in ten matches and the club took a share of the Fair Play Award alongside Melbourne Victory. In other awards Victory’s Ashley Brown was named the Young Player of the Year Rachael Quigley of Adelaide United scooped the Goal of the Season gong.
Meanwhile Brisbane Roar-s German sensation Thomas Broich has taken out the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal at the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 Awards. Broich received 390 votes from his playing peers, ahead of teammate Besart Berisha (ineligible due to suspension) (252 votes) and Melbourne Victory-s Archie Thompson (243 votes).
Central Coast Mariners Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was honoured with the Goalkeeper of the Year Award as well as being presented the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award for the second consecutive season along with the NAB $10,000 investment portfolio prize.
Brisbane Roar marksman Besart Berisha collected the Nike Golden Boot Award courtesy of his 19 goal haul during the regular season. After claiming the Premiers- Plate following another impressive season in charge, Central Coast Mariners head coach Graham Arnold picked up the Coach of the Year Award.
Melbourne Victory midfielder Carlos Hernandez picked up the SOLO Goal of the Year Award for his Week 19 effort against the Premiers while Brisbane Roar received the Fair Play Award for the second season running for accruing the least number of yellow and red cards.
Brisbane Roar youngster and AFC Champions League goalscorer, Nick Fitzgerald, was named the National Youth League 2011/12 Player of the Year.
Jarred Gillett picked up the Referee of the Year award.