The Greenhouse Tavern Coffs Harbour Suns State League Women have received a further recognition of their achievements during 2014 by being named as a finalist in the Sportsperson of the Year category for Coffs Harbour City Council's Australia Day Awards.

The nomination of our State League Suns is reported in todays Coffs Coast Advocate (here) and on the website of Coffs Harbour City Council (here).

In 2014 the Greenhouse Tavern Women's State League Suns achieved a remarkable milestone in taking out the NSW title in very convincing fashion.

In the process the State League Suns stamped themselves as a 'team of the ages'.  Having previously secure the State League banner in 2011 and 2012, the 2014 title made it three in four years a level of success never before achieved by a Coffs Harbour basketball team, and recognising that they were competing in a statewide competition, we believe a success rate never before achieved by a Coffs Harbour sporting team, male or female in any code.

The 2014 Suns State League Women dominated the 2014 competition and the awards which followed.

With a 12 win, 1 loss, regular season the Suns claimed the minor premiership tag in addition to the Grand Final Championship banner.

The Suns 1052 points for the season (av. 81 per game) set them well above everyone else in the scoring department and by only conceding 627 points during the year (av.48 per game) they also displayed the toughest defence in the League.

US import, Ashley Buis lead the league in scoring with 277 points from her 13 starts in regular season and team mate Laura Bamford was not far behind with 221 points from 13 games.

The Suns State League Women claimed the 2014 title in a gritty 'come from behind' Grand Final match up with the Newcastle Hunters who no doubt were boosted by playing the finals on their home court.

For their part, the Suns had to secure the Grand Final win without the services of inspirational captain Bonnie Kuchel who broke her hand during the semi final and could only watch from the sidelines as the rest of the team overcame the Hunters.

In the Awards which followed the Grand Final victory, the dominance of the Suns was reflected in the presentations;

Connie Woods: Coach of the Year
Kate Harland: Defensive Player of the Final
Siarn Woods: MVP of the Final
Emily Malouf: Rookie of the Year
Ashley Bius: Highest Point Scorer in the League
Ashley Bius: League All Star 5 team
Laura Bamford: League All Star 5 team.

For a team from a regional centre such as Coffs Harbour to win the State League banner against opponents from all over NSW is a remarkable achievement.
For the team to be now able to display three banners from four years in the competition is almost unbelievable.
And for the team and its players to unquestionably dominate the 2014 Women's State League season is a historic achievement.

The presentation of the Coffs Harbour City Council Australia Day Awards will take place in the Botanical Gardens after a flag raising ceremony commencing at 8.40 am on Australia Day(Monday 26th January).  
The awards will be followed by a citizenship ceremony and then the Saltwater Freshwater Festival.

Coffs Harbour Basketball congratulates the Suns State League Women on a spectacular 2014 season and on reaching the final in the Council's Sportsperson of the Year Award.  
Good luck when the final awards are announced but be assured, whatever the result, you're our champions and you have the banner hanging in our stadium to remind us every day.
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