Wellington’s star soccer teams have seen their season off with a night full of awards and celebrations at the Soldiers Memorial club on Saturday.
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An all Wellington final is the dream.
- Coach Kyle Nonnemacher
Over 100 people showed up and over 20 trophies were handed out across the four teams that make up Wellington’s soccer.
The major winners from each team were Nick Streicher, who walked away with the First Grade Player of the Year, Brandon Carter, who was the Second Grade Player of the Year, Warriors Women’s Player of the Year Jacqui Ryan and Wildcats Women’s Player of the Year Jane Winter.
The coveted overall Clubman of the Year award went to Sonya Rath.
With this season in the rear-view, Coach Kyle Nonnenmacher was already focused on the opportunities presenting themselves for his teams going forward.
“The Wellington Juniors Club has done tremendous work in developing younger players, particularly on the girl’s side and looking forward to next season, a few more of those girls will be playing senior football which is only going to make the teams even stronger,” Coach Nonnenmacher said.
“I believe within five years the Warriors will join the Wildcats as one of the top four sides in the Dubbo comp.”
Coach Nonnenmacher’s optimism wasn’t reserved just for the women’s side.
While the men’s side had struggled this year with injuries hobbling the their efforts to make it into the finals, Coach Nonnenmacher was confident the experience would help provide a better outcome next year.
“It was a hard year, but the young blokes will be better for the season’s experiences. Next season we’ll have a few more young blokes too. The realistic goal is to make the finals and from there who knows what could happen.”
It’s the first time in four years the Warriors have had two male teams and the first time in three years they’ve played in the top two grades.
The club handed out a number of awards to young, up and coming players set to make big waves next season.
Ryan Miller took home the rookie of the year award for his efforts breaking into the 1st grade side and is expected to have a big impact on the team next season.
Will Eather is set to move up to the seniors next year and Coach Nonnenmacher expects Eather’s ‘awesome talent’ to see him shine in the club’s next efforts to make the finals.
Both women’s teams made it through to the finals this season, but expectations are high for the young girls who will be stepping up to a higher grade next season.
“All the girls feel it was a positive season. There’s about six or seven young girls who’ll go big through next year, but in particular Savannah Lang will be an instant star, she’s a hugely talented girl,” Coach Nonnenmacher said.
“It was a good building season, we had plenty of young faces in the squad who will get better with the experience they gained this year.”