Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2024 Female Football Week awards.
Awards were presented at NNSWF’s annual Female Football Week Networking Event held at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility earlier this evening.
The event was attended by almost 70 guests to recognise and highlight the contribution that women, girls and volunteers make throughout all levels of the game throughout northern NSW from grassroots football to NPL Women’s NNSW.
Kate Haberfield was the master of ceremonies for the event which featured guest Newcastle Jets player Zoe Karipidis and Matildas Alumni Mara Watts who spoke about their football journeys and experiences.
NNSWF Female Participation and Inclusion Officer Nat Boyd said the night was a great success.
“The event was a fantastic opportunity for supporters of women’s football with the same passions to come together in one space,” Boyd said.
“Congratulations to the award winners who contribute so much to their football community. They are all very deserving and we thank them for their hard work and dedication.”
2024 NNSWF FEMALE FOOTBALL WEEK AWARD WINNERS
Player of the Year – Anique Morley
Anique has dedicated herself to her team and club Wingham FC for over a decade. She is an advocate for the club and has played a key role in recruiting players to the side with her professionalism, attitude and skill on the field.
Anique demonstrates each week her love for the game through her team spirit and sportsmanship. Amongst her busy schedule, she continues to find time to attend committee meetings to champion women’s teams within the club.
She is regularly named as the player of the match and will happily play several positions on the field to fill spots as needed.
Coach of the Year – Emma Kelly
Emma is one of two female coaches of an All-Age Women at Cooks Hill United FC and is a true leader in the club.
She was the captain and coach of the D Grade team before taking on more responsibility in 2024 to assist in coaching one of the club’s two A Grade teams.
As a key figure at the club, Emma is a mentor to players and is a trusted figure to many. She has dedicated countless hours to guiding the club’s All-Age women’s teams in hundreds of training drills and gives her all to her team no matter what.
Emma has been described as an outstanding coach with her ability to balance leadership with empathy.
Cooks Hill United FC believe that Emma represents everything that Female Football Week encourages. She played a key role in their club celebrations in 2023, bridging the gap between the club’s under-18s side and the women’s teams to help encourage the younger players to continue playing into adulthood.
Referee of the Year – Barbara Roberts
Barbara registered to be a referee last season for Macquarie Football Association and has brought her eager attitude to the job.
She gained her black shirt ahead of the 2023 finals series and has come back on board for the 2024 season.
Barbara gives everything she’s got to the role, is eager to learn new things and takes pride in her refereeing.
Volunteer of the Year - Belinda Skelton
Belinda has been instrumental in the introduction and delivery of multiple women's and girls' programs for Maclean FC.
In 2023 she completed the Women in Leadership Program and was a big part in making Maclean FC the first club in the Clarence Valley to have the first star in Football Australia’s Club Changer program.
Belinda helps women and girls at the club to feel empowered and creates a supportive environment. She organised buses to transport club members to several matches during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™.
Belinda instigated the Kick On for Women program at the club that saw 38 women from the local area attend and learn some new skills to get a taste for football. The success of this program led to her starting the Keep on Kicking program which had 35 women sign up to continue their footballing endeavours.
She also has organised a MiniTillies program, Core Skills Development program for under-12s and under-16s and is the manager of the club’s women’s premier team and second grade team.
Belinda was named Club Person of the Year in 2023 and her club believe that if it wasn’t for her selflessness and ability to advocate and encourage women and girls, Maclean FC would not have achieved all that it has so far.
Community Champion – Brodie Richardson
Brodie is Hamilton Azzurri FC’s club social media manager. Since taking on the role, he has made sure that the females are represented on all platforms as much as the males in terms of match day posts, player of the match posts and highlights the women’s team’s sponsors.
Out of his own time, Brodie will come along to games to take photos and footage of the women’s teams to make sure that he is posting relevant and timely content to the club’s social media.
This season, Brodie has linked up with the club’s committee to ensure that they are ready to activate during Female Football Week. He has attended the women’s training sessions to capture footage and interviews for videos for the club to share during the celebration.
Club of the Year – Mayfield United Senior FC
Mayfield United Senior FC’s participation rates have continued to increase, resulting in a sixth women’s team being added in 2024. This has made the club one of the largest women’s clubs in the Interdistrict All-Age Women competition.
Women are highly respected and involved in the club, with female committee members making up almost 50 per cent of the committee. This ensures that women have a voice just as much as men within the club and keeps female player retention rates consistently high. The club also supports other development opportunities for women off the field, with women representing the club as volunteers, coaches and referees.
Mayfield United Senior FC stocks women’s cut uniforms to specifically fit female players and the club’s social media platforms represent all teams not just the men’s. There is a strong sense of pride at the club, particularly amongst the women’s teams. Players are always showing up to support other teams and represent the club with pride.
