2008 Blues Dinner Award Winners
New South Wales Touch Association wishes to congraulate all of the award winners for their stellar 2008 contribution to the sport.
Player of the Year Male: Dylan Hennessey (Hornsby TA)
The next big thing arrived in 2008. After being hailed as the games future thorough his youth, Dylan Hennessey delivered on that promise. The player with the spectacularly unorthodox game and flare that many can only dream off unleashed himself on the Men’s Open division. He starred at the National Touch League, Vawdon Cup, Country Championships and State Cup. He led his Hornsby team to their first Vawdon Cup and to be runners up at the State Cup. Dylan also finished a close second in the prestigious Boland Medal votes. He made his first appearance for NSW at Men’s Open level as a debutant showing all that saw his display, that this is the stage he belonged on. His performances during 2008 lead to his selection into the National Opens Squad for the very first time.
Other Nominees:
Jason Stanton (Western Suburbs TA)
Ben Moylan (Penrith TA)
Stephen Roberts (Canterbury TA)
Player of the Year Female: Bo De La Cruz (Western Suburbs TA)
Bo’s 2008 was a stand out year even by her lofty standards. Her year started by leading her Barbarians team to the finals of the National Touch league. She followed this with a standout performance for West’s throughout the Vawdon Cup. This was recognised by her winning of the prestigious Smith Medal by a record margin. Next she was one of NSW’s best as they defeated Queensland in a hard for 2-1 series victory. While disappointed in the State Cup result, it was through no lack of effort on her behalf as Bo went within an inch of putting the Magpies through to the final. The acceleration, speed and passing game is envied by male and female player’s alike, skills that she used to terrorize oppositions in 2008.
Other Nominees:
Louise Winchester (Canterbury TA)
Nicole Beck (Wollongong TA)
Amanda Judd (Eastern Suburbs TA)
Junior Player of the Year Male: Nick Good (Penrith TA)
Nick Good is one of the future stars of the men’s game. He is an exceptional talent utilizing vision, speed and agility to separate himself from other players.
A Penrith Panther, Nick has been representing Penrith Men’s Open for several years and plays with a maturity beyond his years. Nick’s 2008 included a starring role in the Penrith Men’s Open assault on both the Vawdon Cup and State Cup He also lead the Sydney Mets team that were runners up at the National Youth Championship. Nick was a key component of the successful NSW M20’s team in their victory over Queensland.
Other Nominees:
Sam Brisby (Manly Warringah TA)
Nathan Wong (Manly Warringah TA
Matthew Moylan (Penrith TA)
Junior Player of the Year Female: Leah Opie (Western Suburbs TA)
In 2008 Leah lived up to the promise displayed as a youth. On the comeback trail following a knee injury, she was again was able to perform in Women’s Open at the National Touch League as well as Premier League with West’s. Her ability to read the game to ensure she put herself in the right position to support the attack or stifle the defense are key traits to her long striding game. She was selected and starred for the Combined High Schools State team during the national youth Championships as well as being an integral part of the NSW Women’s 20’s team victory over the Queensland.
Other Nominees:
Grace Griffin (Wagga Wagga TA)
Kimberley Resch (Tamworth TA)
Rebecca Mounsey (Wollongong TA)
Coach of the Year: Terry Cooper (Hornsby TA)
2008 was a break through year for Terry. He took his Hornsby Men’s Open team from being contenders to the team everyone had to beat. Facing defending champions Canterbury in the Vawdon Cup he ensured his young dynamic charges were ready to play. Importantly he did not try and curb their flare and spectacular style of play. Rather he has spent time nurturing it. Having been successful in winning the Vawdon Cup they then made the final of the State Cup, an effort that had eluded them for some time. Whilst coming up short his team still served notice that they are still the top team in NSW on 2008 results. Terry also had success with rejuvenating the Scorpions Men’s Open on the national level and having them again in the top teams in Australia. 2008 also saw him as part of the success NSW Men’s Open management that won the State of Origin series.
Other Nominees:
Nick Smith (Canterbury TA)
Milad Almoui (Western Suburbs TA)
Annette Mounsey (Wollongong TA)
Selector of the Year: Don Green (Wellington TA)
Whilst there were a number of equally credible selectors considered for this award, we could not go past this Don. He became a Selector in 1988 and is a Level 3 Course Presenter. Has selected at National Level, and currently is the Team Leader for the State Men’s 30’s team. Don recently was presented with a Level 7 Pin, the highest you can receive in selecting, for all his work for both NSWTA and the development work within the Hunter Western Hornets. He is a current member of the NSWTA Selectors Panel.
Other Nominees:
Mark Hearnden (Taren Point TA)
Sue Hensley (Milton Ulladulla TA)
Craig May (Taren Point TA)
Hall of Fame Inductees
Giselle Martin
After starting in the State Under 20’s she became an automatic selection in the NSW Women’s Open teams from 1992 to 1998, when her “actual” career cut short her Stella playing. She did tantalize us once more in her career when again donning the two blues in 2004 to cut a sway through the Queenslanders. On the field she has the ability to constantly memorize and freeze defenses with her pace and step. A fierce competitor and a tremendous defender with incredibly agility the envy of many male counterparts, she was the player you wanted with the ball when the touchdown was needed. With her exhilarating speed and exceptional touch brain she had and still has the ability to win the game in a blink of an eye. She represented NSW from 1990 to 1998 and again 2004 and has 28 international caps for Australia.
Dean McManus
This player came onto the scene a little later in his life and during his career dominated all challenges amongst the senior ranks. He also debut for NSW in 1990 in the Men’s 30 divisions, where he made immediate impact as a player who could read the game like few before him. Throughout his career at the top level he demonstrated that while possessing skills that allowed him to play the game two touches in front of his opponents he was also the consummate team man, ensuring that the goals of the team were always placed ahead of his own personal goals. With great acceleration and a deft passing game he constantly threaten and defensive line. His ability to read play not only made him a danger in attack, coupled with his acceleration it made him into one of the games safest defenders. Ask any whom have been lucky enough to play also side him and they will tell you he is their first pick every time. Blessed with talent, he is also a humble man who is one of our games true gentlemen. He represented NSW from 1990 to 2004 and has 36 international caps for Australia
Region of the Year: Sydney Mets
The Sydney Mets were deserved winners in 2008 backing up their performance in winning in 2007. Their interaction with affiliates again helped stand them form the pack. They have become one of the state leaders in both referees and coaching development along with being the most proactive when it comes to the development of selectors. The financial practices set the benchmark for other regions to follow. On a representative front they were very successful at the National Touch League, National under 18’s and at the 14/16 Regional’s.
Other Nominees:
Southern Suns
Northern Eagles
Affiliate of the Year NSWTA: Ballina TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Southern Suns: Wagga Wagga TA
The Wagga affiliate continues to go forward in leaps and bounds in the area of junior development. 2008 saw them yet again increase their team numbers to 170 junior teams. This domestic success saw them have equal success at the rep level for juniors where they were crowned the 2008 Junior State Cup Club Champions. Further to this the club has a strong committee structure that is allowing for good governance and association development. Wagga also has a support mechanism for their referees which have seen them develop a strong refereeing culture.
Other Nominees:
Goulburn TA
Berry Ladies TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Sydney Rebels: Bankstown Juniors TA
Starting from scratch in 2005, a dedicated group of individuals grew this junior affiliate to include its first senior competition 2008. With setting proper structures and engaging parents in the process the club is setting its sights on bigger and brighter future.
Other Nominees:
University of NSW TA
Eastern Suburbs TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Sydney Mets: Western Suburbs TA
Whilst always having a strong representative presence, the West’s affiliate has rebuilt itself at the park level to sustain growth for is domestic competition. The committee has also focused very much on a club culture encompassing there domestic and representative players together. Part of this is through a partnership with the West’s AFL club giving the association access to and use of a licence premises.
Other Nominees:
Greystanes TA
Lower Blue Mountains TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Sydney Scorpions: Northern Suburbs TA
This affiliate has long been one of the quiet achievers of the NSWTA. Their focus is to have a strong and enjoyable domestic competition and have been successful in this through good management and governance. Whilst in the senior levels they have maintained team numbers beyond 100 teams, 2008 saw them commence a junior competition. Through hard work and engaging the school community they registered 38 teams at their first attempt. The practices North’s have put in place make them a worthy recipient of this award.
Other Nominees:
Ryde Eastwood TA
Parramatta TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Hunter Western Hornets: Peninsula TA
Peninsula is example of an affiliate striving for the future with good governance, practices and hard work. The committee has restructured the organisation to encompass the local community to provide better services for the membership. This has resulted in improvements in referee development and the running of the affiliate at park level.
Other Nominees:
City of Orange TA
Berkeley Vale TA
Affiliate of the Year: Regional Winner Northern Eagles: Ballina TA
Ballina have once again had a stellar year in the performance of their affiliate. They remain a perennial performer with the delivery of the sport to their local community. A hard working committee has ensured that both the Junior and Senior competitions have continued to thrive. The committee has set up extremely proficient procedures and policies to ensure the smooth day to day running of the organisation. They continue to develop referees through a well structured accreditation program that their members undertake each year. The linkage they have been able to establish with school and community has continued to ensure future of the club with approximately 1/3 of the areas adolescent population participating in their competition.
Other Nominees:
Forster Tuncurry TA
Narrabri TA
Administrator of the Year NSWTA: Joan O’Neill (Narrabri TA)
Administrator of the Year Southern Suns Region: Gary Brickell (Wollongong TA)
Gary Brickell’s efforts are well known, but again can not be overlooked. As the administrator of the Wollongong Association he undertakes the huge task of having the affiliate ready to host the Junior State Cup, with some 10000 visitors to their affiliate. He ensures that the domestic competition runs smoothly, all polices are adhered to and there are enough referees to cover the games. Not content with this he also assists neighboring affiliate Albion Park set up their structures. All while travelling the country with his actually work commitments.
Other Nominees
David Baggio (Wagga Wagga TA)
Paul Lees & Manuel Rosette (Albion Park TA)
Administrator of the Year Sydney Rebels Region: Casey Morton (UNSW TA)
Casey found himself in a situation like no other administrator. He had some very big shoes to fill, with the 2007 NSWTA Administrator of the year Elijah Van Der Kwast resigning in early 2008. Even though this shadowed over his administration of the competition it was something he accepted as a challenge. Through Casey’s efforts the competition has continued to stride forward and now operates at capacity. His utilization of the on line registration process has been gladly accepted by the membership and is in line with the NSW Best Practice Procedures.
Other Nominees:
Kylie Mazloum (Bankstown Junior TA)
John Lynch (Campbelltown TA)
Administrator of the Year Sydney Mets Region: Gary Harvey (Western Suburbs TA)
Gary’s hard nose approach to administration has seen the challenges of the administrator become far easier at the Western Suburbs TA. His ability to negotiate with the members has allowed this competition to prosper both on and off the field. Additional to this Gary’s innovative approach to combat the impeding challenge from Oztag has seen him develop the T-League competition and not only maintain but grow this arm of the club but drove the opposition out of the local area
Other Nominees:
Rob Voura (Lower Blue Mountains TA)
Ralph Lamerton (Greystanes TA)
Administrator of the Year Sydney Scorpions Region: Melanie Croft (Parramatta TA)
Melanie Croft has undertaken the very difficult task over the last 12 months of moving her affiliate from a governance of a company limited by guarantee to an incorporated sporting association. In doing so she has worked closely with the NSWTA to ensured that all the correct steps and measures are taken. It has not been an easy task and one that on times has been in a tense environment. However she has undertaken it for the betterment of her Association. Not withstanding that she as continued on with the running of the Association and all the many and varied roles it with a small group of hearty volunteers.
Other Nominees:
Kim Solman (Northern Suburbs TA)
Gary Noel (Ryde Eastwood TA)
Administrator of the Year Hunter Western Hornets Region: Kerry Campbell (Newcastle City TA)
Joe, as he is known to all is the highly respected President of Newcastle City TA, however he is more than just a President, he is the life blood of his association. He has held the position for 15 years and serving on the committee for 20. In 2008 he still remained in place with the same vigor as all those years past, overseeing the competition with over 200 senior teams and 100 juniors team. He takes to the field to referee, runs the website and prepares all the draws. In his spare time he sits as Judiciary Chairman for the Hunter Western Hornets. The Local community also recognised Joe’s contribution when they named the Newcastle Touch fields the Kerry “Joe” Campbell fields.
Other Nominees:
Melissa Parslow (Forbes TA)
Shayne Hayne (Berkeley Vale Junior TA)
Administrator of the Year Northern Eagles Region: Joan O’Neill (Narrabri TA)
Joan’s efforts in Narrabri have long been know to her local community. She has instigated the use of the Sportzware and the website to update and better communicate with her members. Assisted in attracting more committee members and gained major sponsorship for the Association. She has organised and managed a very successful junior program which she is now looking to forge into a inter town concept. Joan was also a major driving force behind the town’s schools gala day in conjunction with the NSWTA. She is also passionate about developing the sport in the area and has ensured a spot on the local radio talking about and promoting the sport to the region.
Other Nominees:
Lyn Eason (Forster Tuncurry TA)
Glenn Wooldridge (Ballina TA)
