The two most anticipated awards presented at the annual New South Touch Football State Awards are our Boland and Smith Medal’s. The medals are named after legends of the game, Mark Boland and Karen Smith. This distinguished honour rewards the best and fairest players throughout the 2018 Vawdon Cup campaign in the men’s and women’s Premier League divisions respectively.

Votes are awarded on a 3, 2, 1 basis throughout the season. Mark and Karen were in attendance last night to present the awards. The Boland Medal was this year awarded to Nicholas Good.

The Boland Medal was extremely close between four players going into round 9 with only 2 points separating them.

Jason Kazzi from Western Suburbs was sitting in top spot with 14 points whilst Nicholas Good from Penrith Touch Association and Luke Cain from Central Coast Touch Association were close behind on 13 with Cameron Nicholls in fourth spot on 12.

In round 9 Nicholas Good received 3 votes whilst Jason Kazzi received 2 votes leaving them neck and neck going into round 10.

In round 10, Jason Kazzi received 2 votes, Cameron Nicholls received 2 votes, and Nicholas Good secured 3 points. Going into round 11 Nicholas Good had pushed ahead by 1 vote.

Going into the final round Jason Kazzi secured three points pushing him back into top spot on 21. In the final game of the regular Vawdon Cup season Nicholas Good received three points and the coveted Boland Medal on 22 points.

In the final 6 rounds of the 2018 Vawdon Cup campaign Nicholas Good was able to secure 3 points and best on ground in every game.

Nicholas Good currently has recently come off a successful year pulling on the Australian jersey so this achievement is the icing on the cake, all that’s left is a strong Vawdon Cup finals series and even more successful State Cup campaign.

“There is so much suspense when the medal count is being announced from round nine onwards and New South Wales Touch do such a wonderful job of it all,” Nicholas said.

“You don’t actually remember the games and how well you’ve gone in them so you try to think back on each game.”

“It is a matter of opinion on who is the better player in our game and I was fortunate enough to have that opinion swing my way tonight and I am incredibly humbled by this honour,” Nicholas said.