Leading goalscorer Michelle Heyman has taken the honour of being named Canberra United DKD Player of the Year at the club’s annual awards ceremony held at the Hellenic Club in Woden on Friday 14 April.
Heyman, who netted a dozen goals in eighteen appearances was named as the recipient of the top prize, beating off a stiff challenge from several other players who had strong campaigns, to claim the gong.
The Liberty A-League all-time record scorer took her career tally to 94 goals by the conclusion of the season, and moved onto 159 appearances, the most of any player in the history of the elite women’s competition, 132 of which have come in the various shades of Canberra green for whom she already is a living legend.
Playmaker Grace Maher was singled out being named as the winner of the Ellie Brush Players’ Player of the Year Award, the prestigious trophy awarded to the player whom her peers recognised as being the best for the 2022/23 season.
The award has been renamed for this term, bearing the name of United superstar Ellie Brush who announced her retirement from the game after 144 career appearances and 23 goals, 113 of those games being for Canberra United.
Maher played in several key positions during the season, scoring four goals in sixteen appearances.
Young defender Sasha Grove was recognised by the Canberra United Supporters for her outstanding displays, by being named the Supporters Player of the Year for 2022/23. Grove played sixteen times and scored her first goal at this level when she netted from close range in the 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at McKellar Park.
Holly Murray was named as the Canberra United Rising Star at the Awards night attended by the squad, staff, sponsors, and selected guests. The Rising Star is handed to the best under-20 player of the season.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Taylor scooped the Volunteer of the Year.
AWARD WINNERS
DKD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michelle Heyman
ELLIE BRUSH PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Grace Maher
SUPPORTERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sasha Grove
RISING STAR AWARD
Holly Murray
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Rebecca Taylor