18 September 2007 By Victoria Rawlings
On Saturday night the annual Sydney Women’s Australian Football League (SWAFL) awards were held at The Grandstand. Over 100 women from the league’s seven teams as well as umpires, club volunteers and league representatives were present. This is the first time that Sydney University has been recognised at this night as premiers since last winning the title in 2001.
The awards from the night included the Golden Boot (most goals kicked in the season), the Player’s Player (a players choice award compiled over the entire season), and the Best and Fairest ‘SWAFL Medal’. Although Sydney University’s Melinda Hyland won this medal last year in her final year for the club, it was taken out this year by Newtown player, Natalie Redford. Sydney Uni Blue Players Meredith Gray and Captain Amelia Dever featured in the top five, coming sixth and equal fourth respectively. Jemma Still, Captain of the Gold team and Shelley Bates, player in the blue team finished equal ninth in the tally.
In the Golden Boot award, Blues Captain Amelia Dever was strong once again, coming third for the season with 34 goals, with Jemma Still in fourth with 30. Players player also recognized these players, with an amazing six University players being tied in third place, Amelia Dever, Jemma Still, Jane Leyshon, Talei Owen, Monica Chew and Shelley Bates. The club would like to extend our congratulations to all of these players for their consistently strong performances throughout the season.
Over 35 players, coaches and supporters from Sydney University attended the evening to celebrate the various members of its two team squad being recognised by the league. Over half of the NSW state team was from Sydney University this year, illustrating the club’s dominance in Sydney Womens AFL. Sydney Uni Blue Coach, Jason King, also coached the representative team at the national championships in Canberra.
The club would not have been able to get to this point in the year without the continuous support of Sydney University Sport, the coaches Lachlan Worthy, Jason King and Jo Hall, club President Lou Graham, Vice President Jemma Still, the SUWAFLC committee and League support from SWAFL. They would also like to acknowledge their increasing ties with the mens club, SUANFC, as being an evolutionary factor this season.
The womens club are scheduled to begin training once again in February/March 2008. If anyone is interested in joining please contact Vic Rawlings, club administrator at v.rawlings@susport.usyd.edu.au for more information.