At the Junior Best & Fairest Night, Sawtell's players were rewarded for a dominant season claiming the highest honour in all grades.
It was a Gillingham quinella in the Under 14 and 16s, with Patrick and Jack respectively claiming the awards, whilst Sam Taylor shared the award in the Under 12s with Jai Lane, from the Coffs Swans on 22 votes.
Patrick won by an unprecedented nine votes from teammate, Angus Burkitt in the Under 14s. The duo formed a dynamic combination in the midfield and was a major reason why the Saints went through undefeated in this age group.
Things were closer in the Under 16s, with Jack having to battle off Swans Best & Fairest, Darby Pearce, to win by two votes.
Dean Burkitt was rewarded for a dominant season of coaching with his Under 14s winning the Coach of the Year award. He was also the North Coast PSSA and Under 14 Representative Coach. His Grand Final opponent; North Coffs Under 14s coach, Dave Woods, won the Rookie Coach of the Year award. Woods' side lost the first three games of the year but rebounded superbly to make the Grand Final.
Karl Leplaa was the Golden Whistle recipient in recognition of his services to umpiring.
A special presentation was made to Swans official and League Treasurer, Andrew Duguid. Duguid, despite being a Crows supporter, has been a loyal servant of the Junior league since joining the Swans back in 2000, when his older son, Ross joined up with the Swans. In recent times, he has been the Treasurer for the Junior League for the last three years and has also served as Vice-President. Duguid will be progressing to the Senior leagues with his younger son, Glenn eligible for Under 18s next year, and is keen to take a well-deserved back seat role.
Full awards list is as follows:
Under 12s
Best & Fairest: Jai Lane (Coffs Swans) and Sam Taylor (Sawtell)- 22 votes
Rising Star: Judd Duncan (Sawtell)- 8 votes
Under 14s
Best & Fairest: Patrick Gillingham (Sawtell)- 23 votes
Runner-Up: Angus Burkitt (Sawtell)- 14 votes
Best & Fairest: Damien Attwood (Coffs Swans)- 13 votes
Under 16s
Best & Fairest: Jack Gillingham (Sawtell)- 12 votes
Runner-Up: Darby Pearce (Coffs Swans)- 10 votes
Rising Star: Lucas Nicholls (Sawtell)- 5 votes
Coach of the Year: Dean Burkitt (Sawtell)
Rookie Coach of the Year: Dave Woods (North Coffs)
Golden Whistle: Karl Leplaa
Consistency Award: McKinlay Pearce (Coffs Swans) and D'Arcy Myles (Bellingen/Nambucca)
Special Presentation: Andrew Duguid
Last Modified on 13/09/2008 11:02