Football NSW hosted its night of nights as the 2024 Annual Gala Dinner paid homage to players, coaches and officials from the top tier National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s and Women’s as well as the Football NSW Leagues held at The Star Event Centre on Thursday, September 19.
Over 900 guests including players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers enjoyed what was a massive year for the sport as every senior league award winner was celebrated in an unforgettable evening.
Hosted by Stan Sports’ Adam Peacock, there were a number of special guests that attended the Football NSW Gala Awards which included The Minister for Sport The Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Eleni Petinos MP (Member for Miranda), David Harris MP (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty), Stuart Hodge (CEO of Sport NSW), Football Australia CEO James Johnson, former Socceroo Les Schienflug, former Charles Valentine Medallists and Football NSW Life Members, along with the Football NSW Board.
With 47 awards presented to clubs and individuals, there were many highlights that took place on a magical evening for the sport.
It was a huge night for officials with deserved winners in both the Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year awards.
Alex Johnson and Cameron Wright picked up their second successive awards plaudits taking the same category out in 2023 while Isabella Mossin was crowned Referee of the Year in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and Sam Kelly, who won it in 2023, took out the top gong in the NPL NSW Men’s competition.
The NPL NSW Goal of the Year award was met with some stunning goals, but it was Rockdale Ilinden defender Brayden Sorge who stole the headlines with his 16th minute stunner against Sydney Olympic FC in Round 10 of the Men’s competition. There were quality finishes witnessed from both the NPL NSW Men’s and Women’s leagues but as voted by the Football NSW Media department consisting of reporters and commentators, it was Sorge’s long range strike that sealed the accolade – a prize that went alongside his 2024 NPL Men’s Premiership medal.
The Golden Boot award saw several key attackers honoured with Bankstown United’s Mitchell Cross (35 goals), Bankstown City FC’s Japanese star Aya Seino (43 goals), Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ talented attacker Andre Martins (26 goals), Bulls FC Academy’s Amber Luchtmeijer (23 goals) and Rockdale Ilinden’s Alec Urosevski (31 goals) receiving the plaudits as each individual hit their major targets for 2024.
It was a great way to end Luchtmeijer’s time in the league this season following her move to Ninja A-League side Sydney FC while Urosevski claimed back-to-back Golden Boot awards taking out the title in 2023.
The goalkeepers were next on the list and once again, there were a number of standout keepers that held their own across all competitions. Newcastle Jets’ Zac Bowling, SD Raiders FC’s Nathasa Pentecost, Hakoah Sydney City East’s Nicolas Loe, Macarthur Rams’ Teresa Morrisey and APIA Leichhardt FC’s Anthony Bouzanis all took out the honours.
Coach of the Year recipients were next in line and as always, it was yet another big year for what is one of the toughest jobs in football. Newcastle Jets’ Damian Zane, SD Raiders FC’s Zakaria Abboud, Bulls FC Academy’s Craig Noone, Macarthur Rams’ Stephen Peters and Marconi Stallions’ Peter Tsekenis all took out the top gong for their great seasons.
Stephen Peters in particular tasted victory in this category once again, a fitting end to his tenure at the Rams as he commences his new role as head coach of Ninja A-League side Perth Glory.
Wollongong Wolves’ loyal serving clubman Lou Tobia was awarded one of the biggest honours at this year’s Gala Awards with the coveted Charles Valentine Award.
Tobia epitomises everything that the Charles Valentine Medal stands for.
Tobia’s story with the Wollongong Wolves is a testament to unwavering dedication and local pride. Starting out 40 years ago in the car park at the Wollongong Showground, Lou’s journey with the club has been marked by a series of impactful roles. From serving as a Club Director and managing the bar at Brandon Park to becoming a life member 20 years ago, his contributions have been integral to the club’s success. Now, as the Match Day Coordinator, Lou continues to lend his invaluable support. Born and bred in Wollongong, his loyalty and commitment to the Wolves have endeared him to all, making him a cherished figure in the club’s history.
The time had come for the Player of the Year awards in what was the crucial part of the evening as the suspense was at boiling point for all players involved.
Once again, the clubs voted in a 3-2-1 system after each team put forward their best two players for the 2024 season.
Bankstown United’s Mitchell Cross had a night to remember collecting his second award, this time the prestigious Player of the Year in his competition. The striker wasn’t the award winner in that competition however as two other players, Inner West Hawks’ Takuma Hirano and Newcastle Jets’ Ben Van Dorssen shared the accolade.
SD Raiders FC’s Taiana Almeida and Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ Andrew Martins were both rewarded for stellar seasons. Martins had a huge night taking out his second award following on from his Golden Boot triumph.
While the evening got better for Macarthur Rams’ Japanese star Miku Sunaga and Ilinden’s Alec Urosevski who both took out the top tier league’s finest awards.
Urosevski completed the double in two years, something Football NSW has not seen in its history taking out the Golden Boot and Player of the Year two successive seasons in a row.
Football NSW would like to congratulate each award recipient as the sport enters the off-season with players and clubs alike ready for an even bigger 2025 year.
2024 Football NSW Gala Awards Winners
Fair Play Award
- FNSW League 2 Men – Gladesville Ryde Magic
- FNSW League 1 Women – Hills United
- FNSW League 1 Men – Northern Tigers
- NPL NSW Women – Manly United
- NPL NSW Men – St George FC
Club Championship
- FNSW League 2 Men – Newcastle Jets
- FNSW League 1 Women – Mt Druitt Town Rangers
- FNSW League 1 Men – Bulls FC Academy
- NPL NSW Women – APIA Leichhardt
- NPL NSW Men – Rockdale Ilinden
U20/Reserve Grade Golden Boot
- FNSW League 2 Men U20 – Kurtis White (Newcastle Jets)
- FNSW League 1 Women U20 – Portia Berios (Hills United)
- FNSW League 1 Men U20 – Damien Savic (Northern Tigers)
- NPL NSW Women Reserve Grade – Ruby Jones (Emerging Jets)
- NPL NSW Men U20 – Noah Peacock (NWS Spirit FC)
U20/Reserve Grade Player of the Year
- FNSW League 2 Men U20 – William Eick (Newcastle Jets)
- FNSW League 1 Women U20 – Portia Berios (Hills United)
- FNSW League 1 Men U20 – Michael Krslovic (Bulls FC Academy)
- NPL NSW Women Reserve Grade – Ruby Jones (Emerging Jets)
- NPL NSW Men U20 – Brae Ovens (Rockdale Ilinden)
Assistant Referee of the Year
- NPL NSW Women’s – Alexis Johnson
- NPL NSW Men’s – Cameron Wright
Referee of the Year
- NPL NSW Women’s – Isabella Mossin
- NPL NSW Men’s – Sam Kelly
NPL NSW 2024 Goal of the Year – Brayden Sorge (Rockdale Ilinden)
Golden Boot
- FNSW League 2 Men – Mitchell Cross (Bankstown United)
- FNSW League 1 Women – Aya Seino (Bankstown City)
- FNSW League 1 Men – Andre Martins (Mt Druitt Town Rangers)
- NPL NSW Women – Amber Luchtmeijer (Bulls FC Academy)
- NPL NSW Men – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)
Goalkeeper of the Year
- FNSW League 2 Men – Zac Bowling (Newcastle Jets)
- FNSW League 1 Women – Natasha Pentecost (SD Raiders)
- FNSW League 1 Men – Nicolas Loe (Hakoah Sydney City East)
- NPL NSW Women – Teresa Morrisey (Macarthur Rams)
- NPL NSW Men – Anthony Bouzanis (APIA Leichhardt)
Coach of the Year
- FNSW League 2 Men – Damian Zane (Newcastle Jets)
- FNSW League 1 Women – Zakaria Abboud (SD Raiders)
- FNSW League 1 Men – Craig Noone (Bulls FC Academy)
- NPL NSW Women – Stepehen Peters (Macarthur Rams)
- NPL NSW Men – Peter Tsekenis (Marconi Stalions)
Charles Valentine Medal – Lou Tobia (Wollongong Wolves)
Player of the Year
- FNSW League 2 Men – Mitchell Cross (Bankstown United), Takuma Hirano (Inner West Hawks), Ben Van Dorssen (Newcastle Jets)
- FNSW League 1 Women – Taiana Almeida (SD Raiders)
- FNSW League 1 Men – Andre Martins (Mt Druitt Town Rangers)
- NPL NSW Women – Miku Sunaga (Macarthur Rams)
- NPL NSW Men – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)
