THE FEATHERSTON NETBALL CLUB PRIZE GIVING 2018

On Saturday, the Featherston Netball Club held their Prize Giving for 2018, thank God for the beautiful weather that Featherston put on for our barbecue. The prize giving started at 1.30 pm, but the ladies who I know all too well turned up around 2.00 pm onwards. It was just an amazing day of family, friends and loads of love from a fantastic bunch of ladies and our partners, supporters and families.

We had two of our beautiful ladies who could not make the prize giving and we totally missed both of our awesome team mates Reanne Tawharu and MacKenzie Harris on the day.

This year the Featherston Supervalue Senior Team were runners up of the Wairarapa Premier 4 Competition, our first year playing together as a team. Well done to you ladies, I could not be more prouder of you all. Coaching was such an easy task and you all put all your commitment and effort into your netball this year.

The Prize Winners of 2018, are as follows:

Alyssa Rosson (Leasha Rosson) - CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Leasha Rosson known as Alyssa Rosson was chosen for this top award, she led by example and when the captain was not playing, she was a huge support for the team and always played amazing. Leasha is the most consistent player and always willing to go that extra for the team. This player is always Outstanding and played every game in GD. You are an asset to this club and to the team. Well done beautiful young lady, you deserve this award for all the work, flair and effort in your game this season.

Lakyn Irving - U-21 PLAYER OF THE YEAR: This award is the NIFO ILI award, which is for the Outstanding Youth Player in the Club. Lakyn deserved this award, she played in the WA position this year and showed that for a young player, she could play under pressure and we were very blessed to have Lakyn in the team. As I said she has to be one of the best Wing Attacks that i have seen for a long time. Her reading & understanding of the game, feeding of the circle and mid court play was just awesome. Well done Lakyn, well deserved.

Georgie Monigatti - MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: This award is for the player who got better and better during the season. Georgie played WD, she came to the club as a player who last played at school, but showed a load of determination this year. A willing player who always asked for extra training. Well done Georgie, you have had a fantastic season. Congratulations.

Sandra Young - MOST DEDICATED CLUB MEMBER: This award is for the club member who does so much for both the team and the club. This year Sandra Young who is also the captain thoroughly deserved this. Sandra Young has assisted the coach and the team in everything. Helping with our fundraisers, taking the team when I was late, doing all our errands to help support the club and the team. Sandy was also our first aid lady, doing all our team strapping of the ladies injuries. I could not have asked for anything more. Thank you so much for all the help and support you have given in 2018. Well done.

Reanne Tawharu - BEST ALL ROUNDER: This young lady certainly deserved this award. Reanne Tawharu has to be the fittest player in the team, she played wherever she was asked to. Every position played, Reanne Tawharu gave it 100% and more. A great defensive player, who deserves this award, she is probably the most versatile who plays an outstanding game in whatever position she plays. A positive, determined and supportive player who is always encouraging to her team mates. Thank you and well deserved.

Pa'i Tauiliili Smith & Shaya Rosaleah Smith - MOST OBLIGING PLAYER: This year I put in this award, which is for the player/players who is asked to play in any position, sit on the bench and supports the team on the sideline with a very positive and a fantastic attitude. They continue to support and cheer the team on, till the very end. Love you two so much, you have made my time as a coach a not too difficult task this year. Thank you so much for the love and support. #FAMILYisEVERYTHING

Alyssa Rosson (Leasha Rosson) & Lakyn Irving - PLAYERS PLAYER (VOTED TEAM PLAYER): This award is given to the player/players who the team pick as their favorite player. This year it was tie between two very amazing ladies. Could not doubt these two awesome team mates. Leasha Rosson in GD & Lakyn Irving at WA. How incredibly lucky are we, to have strength on both ends of the court. This award is certainly well deserved by these two gorgeous ladies. Much love to you both for the support and commitment.

Nadine Rosson & Shaya Rosaleah Smith - MOST GOALS SCORED: This year as you all know I was the player/coach. These two amazing ladies, was a huge support in the circle. Nadine Rosson and Shaya Rosaleah Smith both played so well in the shooting circle. GONADS (Nadine Rosson) played either in GA or GS and Shaya Rosaleah Smith played in the GS position. Congratulations you two beautiful ladies, you had to play with the coach and the expectations were very high. This trophy is deserved by the both of you. Thank you so much for the support ladies. A special mention also to Pa'i Tauiliili Smith who played in the shooting circle, our one handed, long distance shooter. You had an amazing season sister. You and GONADS had a fantastic game in the finals and I am so proud of you both. xoxo

Sandra Young - TEAM CAPTAIN: Always so supportive and thank you for approaching the umpires when it was needed. So positive and taking really good care of our ladies this year. Thank you for your wonderful attitude Sandy. Always being the first person to turn up to do all the strapping and ensuring the team got transport to and from the games. You have been a huge impact this year. A big asset to the club. Thank you so much we appreciate all you did for us.

Alyssa Rosson (Leasha Rosson) - VICE CAPTAIN: Who better than to have Leasha as vice-captain. Always leads by example. Flair, talent and exceptional player. Leash would be an MVP in this team. We could not have done without. Your commitment and positive play this year has been tremendous to watch.

Alyssa Rosson (Leasha Rosson) & MacKenzie Harris - BEST DEFENCE PLAYER: These two ladies played all season in the defence circle and that they did. What an amazing pair, MacKenzie Harris the youngest in the team and our GK, who played alongside a very experienced GD Leasha. You both had a great season, lots of intercepts and rebounds. Thank you for the commitment this season. Congratulations on your awards. A special mention to Shaya Rosaleah Smith, Sandra Young and Reanne Tawharu for being part of a fantastic defence team. Love you all heaps.

Lakyn Irving & Shaya Rosaleah Smith -BEST ATTACK PLAYER:These two ladies certainly deserved this award, they both showed loads of talent and flair. Lakyn at WA made the circle feeding look easy. Reading of the game and getting back on defence, when the ball was lost. Shaya in GS position made the task of feeding the circle simple, always in the right place and a lot of rebounds. Fantastic season from  you both.

Would also want to say thank you to our beautiful Elma Baker who played in the Centre most of the season, who we totally missed, when she was not there. You are a special part of our team and we are proud of you. This young lady is doing her apprentice as a hairdresser, so this took most of Elma's time with her work and her family.  The club motto is, family and livelihood first. Well done hon, all the best in your apprenticeship and we know you are going to be amazing in your career.

We would also like to thank our loud and proud player Keke Dee (Kendra Smith) who played at Centre this year and showed a load of talent in both her attack and defensive game. She got lots of intercepts, sped up the mid court and huge asset to our team. Thank you so much for the supportive game and your flair. Amazing.

A special thank you to Rhys Tekira and Tiny Strange for their support as Assistant Coaches and umpiring. You are both so much appreciated this year. Logan van de Loo our Manager who designed our crest, our uniforms and supported all our games on the sideline this year. Marc Van de Loo for supporting our team, by helping out with our fundraisers and running up and down for us. Also want to especially thank you for taking all our photos for this year. They are fantastic and we appreciate all you have done. Thanks hon, love you loads. I could not exist without you.My mum Milo Seiuli who is 85 and continues to be on the sideline to support our team 100%.Jason Russo for his time in giving our team tips and helping us out with training. We will never forget your kindness and support. Hope to have you come over again in 2019.

Last but not least our supporters from our local Featherston community, wider Wairarapa community and beyond. Your support and generous donations this year have not gone unnoticed. So much appreciated by the Featherston Netball Club and Featherston Supervalue Senior Team. The club has been overwhelmed with all the love and support from our local businesses, our wonderful community, families and friends.

The Supervalue Team and Chris Ward for all their Sponsorship and support in 2018. They have made a huge difference to the Featherston Netball Club by way of donations, our new uniforms and many more. Thank you so much, your generosity and support has helped this club to continue to grow and sustain in the future.

We will look at trials in February 2019.

Here are some of the photos from our prize giving 2018. Love these ladies, I am so proud to be their coach.  Love & Respect Nifo Ili - President/Coach