2023 Hockey Victoria Awards Night proves to be a historic evening

Published Mon 25 Sep 2023

The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as the 2023 Hockey Victoria Awards Night unfolded on the evening of Friday, September 22, 2023, at the prestigious Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

This year, a remarkable turnout of nearly 400 attendees created an unforgettable atmosphere, uniting to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Victoria's hockey community. Guiding us through the night's festivities was none other than our esteemed MC and Hockey Australia Board Member, Sandra Sully.

Congratulations were in order for all the finalists and triumphant winners of the evening. The resounding support and jubilant cheers from friends, teammates, and club members as the names were announced exemplified the profound camaraderie within the hockey community.

All photos are available here thanks to Mark Avellino Photography.

Without further ado, here is the list of the exceptional award recipients from the unforgettable 2023 Hockey Victoria Awards Night:

2023 Life Member Inductees

Verna Klye

2023 Award of Merit

Cheryl Weaver
Ken John

2023 Community Awards

(Community Club of the Year Finalists)

KBH Brumbies Hockey Club (Winner)

Waverley Hockey Club

North Central Hockey Association

Kaniva Hockey Club

(Hookin2Hockey Club of the Year Finalists)

Brunswick Hockey Club

Southern United Hockey Club

Waverley Hockey Club (Winner)

(Administrator of the Year Finalists)

Kelly Godfrey – LaTrobe Valley Hockey Association

Lynette Williams – Geelong Hockey Association

Bill West – KBH Brumbies Hockey Club

Andrew Rook – Hawthorn Hockey Club (Winner)

(Coach of the Year Finalists)

Daniel Godfrey – LaTrobe Valley Hockey Association (Winner)

Taya Stuart – La Trobe University Hockey Club

Thomas Nightingale – Essendon Hockey

Dale Boyd – North West Lightning

(Official of the Year Finalists)

Dwayne Drake – Technique Hockey Club (Winner)

Cai Henzell – Southern United Hockey Club

2023 Officiating Awards

Jim McDowell Medal – Most Promising Junior Umpire (Girls): Georgina Kennedy

Jim McDowell Medal – Most Promising Junior Umpire (Boys): Hayden MacPhie

Mike Taylor Medal – Most Improved Junior Umpire (Girls): Annabella Orange

Mike Taylor Medal – Most Improved Junior Umpire (Boys): Cody Ingram

Dieter Lau Medal – Best Junior Umpire Umpiring Seniors (Girls): Zoe Brown

Dieter Lau Medal – Best Junior Umpire Umpiring Seniors (Boys): Zachary Wickson

Elaine Dunk Award – Female Umpire of the Year: Nicola Brown

David Saleeba Award - Male Umpire of the Year: Tim Sheahan

Technical Official of the Year Award: Lyn Page-Bathols

2023 State Representative Awards
Viper of the Year: Amy Lawton
Max Campbell Award - Viking of the Year: Nathan Ephraums

2023 Vic League Awards
(Leading Goal Scorers)

Men’s Vic League 1
Clarke Rossiter - PEGS Hockey Club: 20 Goals
Joginder Singh – Melbourne Sikhs United Hockey Club: 20 Goals

Women’s Vic League 1 – Sally Donaldson – Yarra Valley Hockey Club: 16 Goals

Men’s Vic League 2 – Michael Somerton – St. Bede’s Hockey Club: 23 Goals

Women’s Vic League 2

Stella Bernardi – La Trobe University Hockey Club: 10 Goals
Ebonie McAskill – Gippsland Strikers: 10 Goals
Amy Schwarze – Melton Hockey Club: 10 Goals

Men’s Vic League 3 – Riley Lawrence – Melton Hockey Club: 15 Goals

(Best & Fairest Awards)

Men’s Vic League 3
3^rd – Criag Freeman, RMIT Hockey Club: 12 Votes
2^nd – Riley Lawrence, Melton Hockey Club: 13 Votes

Joint Winners:
Simmy Grewal, Greater Dandenong Warriors Hockey Club: 15 Votes
Zac Weller, Bayside Cougars Hocke Club: 15 Votes
Simon Atkins, Bayside Cougars Hocke Club: 15 Votes

Women’s Vic League 2

3^rd – Stella Bernardi, La Trobe University Hockey Club: 12 Votes
2^nd – Amy Schwarze, Melton Hockey Club: 15 Votes
Winner: Meryl McGlone, La Trobe University Hockey Club: 17 Votes

Men’s Vic League 2

3^rd – Lowrance Lowrance, Craigieburn Falcons HC: 12 Votes
3^rd – Michael Churcher, WestVic Hockey: 12 Votes
2^nd – Daniel Hackett, Knox Hockey Club: 13 Votes
Winner: Alex van Driel, Powerhouse & St. Kilda Hockey Club: 14 Votes

Women’s Vic League 1

3^rd – Kate Sandry, Knox Hockey Club: 25 Votes
3^rd – Laura Farrell, Knox Hockey Club: 25 Votes
2^nd – Nicola Brown, Yarra Valley Hockey Club: 29 Votes
Winner: Courtney Taylor, Mornington Peninsula Hockey Club: 35 Votes

Men’s Vic League 1

3^rd – Clarke Rossiter, PEGS Hockey Club: 16 Votes
2^nd – Xavier McBain, North West Lightning: 17 Votes
Joint Winners:
Joginder Singh, Melbourne Sikhs United Hockey Club: 20 Votes
Michael Lester, PEGS Hockey Club: 20 Votes

(Vic League Team of the Year)

Men’s Vic League 3

Women’s Vic League 2

Men’s Vic League 2

Women’s Vic League 1

Men’s Vic League 1

2023 GAME Clothing Premier League Awards

(Leading Goal Scorers)

Lou Dobson Medal - Women’s Premier League Leading Goal Scorer

Winner: Ash Utri, Essendon Hockey: 22 Goals

Colin Batch Medal - Men’s Premier League Leading Goal Scorer

Winner: Cooper Burns, Altona Hockey Club: 40 Goals

(Best & Fairest Awards)

Don & Pam Vincent Award – Women’s Premier League Best & Fairest Award

3^rd – Aisling Utri, Essendon Hockey: 19 Votes
2^nd – Olivia Downes, Essendon Hockey & Naomi Pickford, Greensborough Hockey Club: 21 Votes
Joint Winners:
Josie Lawton, Southern United Hockey Club: 25 Votes
Kristina Bates, Camberwell Hockey Club: 25 Votes

Fin McNab Award - Men’s Premier League Best & Fairest Award -

3^rd – Jeremy Edwards, Hawthorn Hockey Club: 18 Votes
2^nd – Cooper Burns, Altona Hockey Club: 20 Votes
Winner: Joshua Simmonds, Doncaster Hockey Club: 21 Votes