Premiership Dinner and Awards Night 2001
A Large crowd attended the Premiership Dinner and the Presentation of Awards last Friday night bringing to an end the successful 2001 Season for the Skipton Football Netball Club.
In what proved to be an entertaining evening our President, John Peeters, outlined details of the outstanding support he had been given by many people throughout the year. Coaches were full of praise to the players and to those who had assisted them and the recipients of the awards expressed their appreciation, many creating plenty of laughter in their acceptance speeches.
The presentations ended on a sad note when our President, John Peeters announced that our Coach Wayne Grace and his wife Melanie would be moving back to Ouyen at the end of the year. John spoke of the outstanding contribution made by them both since arriving at the Club two years ago. In both years Wayne had been Coach we had reached the Grand Final and Melanie had played an important role in the success of our netball teams.
In reply Wayne thanked the many people who had supported him during his time at the Club. He said that he and Melanie would have many happy memories of their time at Skipton but none better than being able to hold the Premiership Cup up on Grand Funal Day.
In presenting the President's Award to Tony and Rhonda Slater, John spoke of the outstanding service given by them both during the year. Tony as Trainer and Chairerson of the Junior Section and Rhonda as Chairperson of the Ladies Committee responsible for the operation of the Canteen.
The Best Clubperson Award was presented to Michael Sturgeon who continued his role as Timekeeper for the Seniors and Manager of the Junior Section. A special Appreciation Award was made to Michael's wife Cheryl, by the Chairperson of the Netball Section Katherin Gillespie for her outstanding service to the Club over the past 20 years.
Graeme Pigdon, the Victorian Country Football League Regional Manager, presented the Merv Howard Medal to Wayne Grace, the player selected as best on the ground in the Grand Final, and the football used in the Grand Final to John Peeters on behalf of the Club.
A presentation was made by members of the successful netball teams to their coach, Trudy Boyer, in appreciation of her leadership during the Season.
Following is a list of all Awards presented.
Skipton Football Netball Club 2001 Club Awards
* Presidents Award: Tony & Rhonda Slater, donated by John & Barb Peeters
* Best Clubman: Michael Sturgeon, donated by the Delacombe Mini Mart
* Appreciation Award: Cheryl Sturgeon, for 20 years service to the Netball Section of the Club
2001 Football Awards:
* Charlie Pretlove Memorial Award - Seniors Best & Fairest Award: Wayne Grace, donated by Adrian and Teresa Williams
* Seniors Best & Fairest Runner-Up: Tony Boyer, donated by the Sturgeon Family
* Seniors Most Consistent Player: Graeme Lench, donated by the Skipton Roadhouse & Newsagency
* Seniors Coach's Award: John Gardner, donated by Wesfarmers Dalgety Ltd
* Seniors Leading Goalkicker: Kiernan Molloy (62 goals), donated by Skipton Post Office
* Tom Osborne Memorial Award - Reserves Best & Fairest Award: Jason Gibson, donated by the Osborne Family
* Reserves Best & Fairest Runner-Up: Luke Milenkovic, donated by Skipton FoodWise Licensed Supermarket
* Reserves Most Consistent Player: Chris Shelton, donated by the Skipton Roadhouse & Newsagency
* Reserves Coach's Award: Luke Milenkovic, donated by Union Insurance
* Reserves Leading Goalkicker: Jason GIbson (69 goals), donated by the Skipton Motor Garage
* Best First Year Player: Joseph Kavanagh, donated by Meg and Bill Fay
* Most Improved Player: Nick Watson, donated by Skipton Quality Meats
* Tom Osborne (Snr) Memorial Award: Most Useful Player: Michael Hutt, donated by the Osborne Family
* Quiet Achiever Award: Paul Grinstead, donated by the Skipton Hotel
* Phyllis Osborne Memorial Award, Encouragement Awards: Adam Slater & Cory Cassar, donated by the Osborne Family
* Most Dedicated Player: Andrew Clark, donated by the Nash Family
2001 Netball Awards
* Seniors Best and Fairest Player: Trudy Boyer, donated by Crawford Dowling
* Seniors Best & Fairest Runner Up: Christie Fletcher, donated by the Skipton Quality Meats
* Seniors Coach's Award: Clare Odlum, donated by Trudy Boyer
* Seniors Best Player in the Finals: Faye Shelton, donated by Eels Australis
* Reserves Best and Fairest Player: Tory Wilson, donated by the Commonwealth Bank
* Reserves Best & Fairest Runner Up: Emma Poulton, donated by Skipton Gifts & Healthcare
* Reserves Coach's Award: Melanie Grace, donated by Trudy Boyer
* Reserves Best Player in the Finals: Natalie Drake, donated by Eels Australis
* Beryl Wise Trophy : Trudy Boyer (29 votes) (awarded to the player receiving the most umpires votes in the four grades of netball), donated by Len Wise
Much attention has been focussed on the success of our Senior Football team in recent weeks. Just as important for our Club were the achievements of the Senior and Reserves Netball teams in winning their premierships along with the Under 17's and Under 14's making the finals.
Our victory in the Football gave us a great deal of satisfaction but to have the two Netball teams winning as well topped off a great year. Led by Trudy Boyer as Coach, our Senior team lost only one game for the Season. The inclusion of Maree Hunt in defence and the return of Faye Shelton in goals gave the team greater depth. With Julie Boyer, Clare Odlum, Laura Tayler, Christie Fletcher and Tenielle Kennedy along with a number of players from the Reserves helping out when needed they formed a very strong and versatile combination that deserved the reward of a premiership shield for their commitment throughout the Season.
The Reserves finished third on the ladder and had to work very hard to make the Grand Final. Sarah Spratling, Tory Wilson, Lydia McKerrow, Ailsa McKerrow, Katrina Bant and Liz Phillips were all new players to the team who supported Angela Hand, Natalie Drake, Dione Edmonston and Emma Poulton. The team was unsettled on occasions during the Season by players assisting out in the Seniors and they lost some very close games, but to the credit of the girls and their Coach Trudy Boyer, they adjusted to the situation and played excellent Netball during the finals series and in a very exciting Grand Final they held on for a great win.
Lindy Robertson assisted by Cheryl Sturgeon coached the Under 17 team to the Preliminary Final. The team included Koby Sturgeon, Sarah Meek, Jenna Stimson, Rawinia Vanderlaan, Kasey Tobin, Joanna McKerrow, Remi Briody along with Karly Walker and Ailsa McKerrow both in their first year. As the Season went on this team improved and matured in their netball which was evident in their play during the finals. With only Sarah Meek moving on to the Seniors next year all speaks well for the future of this group of girls.
Coached by Katherine Gillespie, our Under 14's finished fifth on the ladder and will benefit from the experience of playing in the finals. All girls played in a variety of positions throughout the Season which will assist in the development of their skills. The team included Ashley Layley, Courtney Layley, Jessica Fay, Jessica Grist, Asha Ponder, Carlee Thornton with Abby Stimson and Karis Britton in their first year. Ashley and Courtney Layley and Jessica Fay all move on to Under 17's next year.
The demanding task of organising Netball was led by Katherine Gillespie as Netball Chairperson and Manager, Cheryl Sturgeon. Along with Team Managers Angela Smith (Seniors), Barb Peeters (Reserves), Cheryl Sturgeon (Under 17's) and Meg Fay (Under 14's) they were responsible for organising Umpires, Scorers and importantly the Teams each week. To all the Coaches and those that found time to help out in any way the Club is very appreciative of their contribution.
The sight of our Netball teams on a lap of honour with the Football team, their reception on Grand Final night and the manner in which team and individual awards were received on Presentation Night surely explains the importance of Netball to our Club. As we move towards our third year of the amalgamation of the Football and Netball Clubs it is apparent that we have gained strength and unity by this decision with a strong commitment to their continued success.
Skipton Football Netball Club 2001 Netball Awards
* Under 14 Best and Fairest Player: Jessica Fay, donated by Eels Australis
* Under 14 Best & Fairest Runner Up: Jessica Grist, donated by Skipton Roadhouse & Newsagency
* Under 14 Coach's Award: Abby Stimson, donated by Katherine Gillespie
* Under 14 Best First Year Player: Karis Britton, donated by Ted Clark
* Under 17 Best and Fairest Player: Koby Sturgeon, donated by Angela Smith
* Under 17 Best & Fairest Runner Up: Karly Walker, donated by Russell & Beryl Adams
* Under 17 Coach's Award: Jenna Stimson, donated by Lindy Robertson & Cheryl Sturgeon
Thank you to all of the trophy donors for your generous support.
"The Roving Rambler'
