THE Horsham District league season’s Blue Ribbon Spirit of Football and Netball awards were handed out on grand final day on Saturday.
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The award is handed out to an under-17 player, coach and team of both netball and football who exhibits great sportsmanship throughout the season.
Football and netball umpires vote for the award winners.
Each player is given a vote out of 10 for sportsmanship and skill, and the cumulative of season votes decides the player of the year.
The team of the year is decided by the cumulative of votes from each player on each team throughout the season.
Their coach receives the coach of the year award.
Noradjuha-Quantong’s under-17 football team was named the team of the year after going the full home and away season undefeated.
The squad fell short of premiership glory on the big stage when it came up against the Swifts on Saturday.
Bombers coach Heath Francis was named the coach of the year.
Laharum won the 17 and under netball team of the year after a strong season which culminated in winning the grand final.
Mountain Maids Bianca Mibus and Erin Mellington were named joint coaches of the year.
There were two winners of the under-17 football player of the year – in Brock Hammerston of Pimpinio and Michael Angelo Macalinga of Kalkee.
Kali Roberts of Rupanyup was a standout in the 17 and under netball season and was named the netball player of the year.
Bombers coach Francis said it was good for the team to earn recognition for their strong season.
“They have been playing some good team footy,” he said. “We do all the right things. We’re disciplined and have fair play.
“It was all down to the group of kids we had this year – they do all the right things and just love to play footy.”
Francis said receiving the coach of the year award was an honour.
“It’s a good reflection that the kids are on the right path and that we set the right example,” he said.
Laharum coach Mibus said it was an “amazing feeling” to be named coach of the year alongside Mellington.
“To get to the grand final, win it and then receive the award is amazing,” she said.
“Erin and I put in a lot of hard work. It is amazing to be recognised.”
Mibus said she and Mellington were talking before the game about how amazing it would be to win the grand final and the award.
“The team is a great bunch of girls. We were lucky to have them,” she said.
“Their personalities and determination through the season was great. We are ecstatic for them.”
Mibus said the last time a Laharum coach won the award was when her late mother, Michele, won it in 2013.
“It was a little emotional,” she said.
“Mum was on a pedestal for me and to get the same recognition as her hits home.”