Local football legends Emma IIijoski, Kelly Stirton, Kath Temple and Aisha Strutt have been nominated for a 2020 rebel Female Football Award, which will be held this Friday morning in Sydney (13 March).
The Awards, which are held annually as part of FFA’s continued commitment to growing the women’s game at all levels, recognise and acknowledge achievements made in women’s football over the past year.
As well as highlighting work done by women at both Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League clubs, it also shines a light on the unique stories and volunteers at Member Federation and grassroots level.
Emma Ilijoski was also awarded Player of the Year in Capital Football’s NPLY U16.
Local star Emma Ilijoski has been nominated for Member Federation Female Player of the Year after she helped lead the Junior Matildas at the AFC U-16 Championships in September, matching their best-ever finish by finishing fourth.
Referee Aisha Strutt was nominated as Member Federation Female Referee of the Year while Kath Temple was nominated for the Member Federation Female Administrator of the Year Award, recognising her tireless work with Weston Molonglo FC.
Capital Football’s Game Development Manager Kelly Stirton was also nominated in the Member Federation Female Coach of the Year category. Kelly Stirton was the first-ever female head coach to the Cerebral Palsy National Championships and was the assistant coach for Canberra’s first Indigenous junior football team, the Koori Kangaroo, at the 2019 McDonald’s Kanga Cup.
Former Belconnen United coach Antoni Jagarinec was also nominated for the Member Federation Male Champion of the Year Award after his dedication to the growth of women’s football in the ACT and surrounding region. Jagarinec led his NPLW side to nine straight Premierships from 2011 to 2019 and seven Federation Cups.
rebel Female Football Awards Nominees
rebel Role Model Award – Chelsie Dawber, Shay Evans, Leticia McKenna, Tessa Tamplin, Ellie Carpenter, Indiah-Paige Riley & Courtney Nevin
Hyundai A-League/Westfield W-League Female coach of the Year – Alice Kriesler, Jessine Bonzas, Ash Wilson, Gabrielle Blanch, Melissa Barbieri, Laura Bryant & Catherine Cannuli
Hyundai A-League/Westfield W-League Female Administrator of the Year – Sue Blaess, Sarah Floratos, Robyn Connor, Gulcan Koca, Bronwyn Vaughan, Sue Crow, Rizka Laya, Cheyanne Girvan & Mikayla Mantouroglou
Female Fan of the Year – Amelia Ayles, Kerri Cramb, Amanda Wetzel, Sharon Pascoe, Stephanie Pasceri, Sonya McDonald, Chris McAlister, Ingrid Laursen & Kellie Van Gool
Kath Temple has been nominated for the Member Federation Female Administrator Award. Photo: Michael Daniel Photography
Male Champion of the Year – Sean Sheey, Anthony Harb, Neil Bennett, Craig Deans, Dan Barrett, Jake Goodship, Phil Brown & Dean Heffernan
Member Federation Female Player of the Year – Sarah Denton, Isabella Nimmo, Jo-anne Rowland, Hannah Lowry, Karen Costello & Emma IIijoski
Member Federation Female Coach of the Year – Mary Mavra, Corinna Ryan, Isabella Nimmo, Lusitana Casimiro, Karen Wills, Kelly Stirton, Anouk Meereboer, Faye Chambers & Rachel Bax
Member Federation Female Administrator of the Year – Kerry Hudson, Sarah Dixon, Denise Robinson, Cathy James, Kath Temple, Julie Martin, Jasmine Hirst, Stephanie Swanson Garner & Laura Ranger
Member Federation Female Referee of the Year – Jackie Megson, Ashleigh McNamara, Lottie Cabassi-Power, Aisha Strutt, Wendy Ollington, Tanya Jones & Jaimee Barreiro
Member Federation Male Champion of the Year – Bruno Geovanniello, David Bounds, Antoni Jagarinec, Simon Edwards, Dave McWilliam, Michael Mammis, Andy Longmore & Stewart Hume
Female Football Week provides a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the female players, coaches, volunteers and referees that have had an impact on the game. If there is someone you would like to acknowledge, please contact Lachlan Roberts.
