Senior Awards Dinner - 2004

Multiple award winners were the order of the evening at Matamata AFC's end of season awards dinner, held at the Matamata Club on Saturday. Joe Alves, Bevan Shelley, Natalie Gaskell, Adam Graham and Lani Guilford all grabbed a swag of silverware to round out fine individual season's.

In typical fashion Swifts striker, Joe Alves, poached three awards. Alves led the way with 11 goals for the Swifts First Team and complimented this achievement with a share of the First Team Player's Player of the Year Award, with strike partner Bevan Shelley, and Matamata AFC's Veteran Player trophy. Shelley also walked away with the First Team's Player of the Year award, after many years of trying to get his name on the trophy.

Natalie Gaskell, once again, was one of the dominant players in the Swifts Ladies Team. Yet again she finished as the leading goalscorer for her side and she also picked up the Swifts Ladies' Player of the Year trophy. Gaskell's team-mate, Lani Guilford, also grabbed a trophy for each hand. Guilford's unique personality was rewarded with the Club Personality award and she was also presented with the Most Outstanding Club Member trophy for her work with the Ladies Team.

Goals were the name of the game for Adam Graham in 2004. His efforts in front of goal for the Swifts Reserve Team were rewarded with two awards; Reserve Team Leading Goalscorer and overall Senior Top Goalscorer. Other award recipients of note were Matamata AFC President, Peter Challis, who was the Reserve Team Player of the Year and junior club chairman, Malcolm Raynel, whose efforts in re-establishing a well managed junior management committee were rewarded with his announcement as Matamata AFC's Club Person of 2004.

The awards part of the evening was complimented by guest speaker Clive Morgan, chairman of newly established New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) franchise, Waikato FC. Morgan gave the audience a run down on the establishment and hopes for his Waikato Stadium-based side in the NZFC, which kick-off on October 15.

Although this function marks the traditional end to the season, thoughts are already turning to what will be a significant 2005 season. Matamata will hope to celebrate their 75th Jubilee year with success both on and off the field. Planning is already underway to ensure this becomes a reality.

Full list of award winners:

Club awards
Club Person of the year: Malcolm Raynel
Outstanding Club Member & Club Personality: Lani Guilford
Sportsmanship: Justin Read
Veteran Player: Joe Alves
Senior Top Goalscorer: Adam Graham

First Team
Player of the Year: Bevan Shelley
Player's Player of the Year: Joe Alves & Bevan Shelley
Most Consistent All-round Player: Jason Collins
Most Improved Player: Steve Beattie
Leading Goalscorer: Joe Alves

Reserve Team
Player of the Year: Peter Challis
Player's Player of the Year: Joseph Dew
Most Improved Player: Floyd Emson
Leading Goalscorer: Adam Graham

Ladies Team
Player of the Year: Natalie Gaskell
Player's Player of the Year: Jenny Wild
Best Trainer: Annie Stephens
Most Improved Player: Vicky Douglas
Leading Goalscorer: Natalie Gaskell