Bulli’s Bailey named IPL player of the year
October 25, 2007
Section: Sport
THE ILLAWARRA Football Association (IFA) ended its successful 2007 Season with the Annual Presentation at the Fraternity Club on Saturday.
More than 400 people packed into the Frat’s function centre for the evening, including Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell and Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay.
Matthew Bailey took the IFA’s top award, the George Naylor Medal for a powerhouse 2007 campaign in which he guided Bulli to runners-up in the league and grand final.
Bailey was named the Illawarra Premier League’s top player after scoring 19 goals from midfield.
“Bulli is a beautiful club, the boys made it a beautiful season and full credit to my fellow nominees,” Bailey said.
Bailey beat teammate Rohan Daley, Dandaloo’s Paul Gaffney and South Coast United’s Michael Santalab for the IPL’s top honour.
Fellow midfielder James Kerr (Fernhill) received the Neville Arrowsmith Medal as first division player of the year.
“It’s been a privilege to play for Fernhill, next year will be a big one when we step up to the Premier League,” he said.
He won the award ahead of University’s David Boscoscuro and Highlands United’s Scott Friedwald.
Outgoing Dandaloo coach Peter Beggs marked his historic tenure by winning IPL Coach of the Year, while Fernhill mentor Alan Paine was named the first division coach of the year.
Dandloo marksman Ilija Prenzoski was the IPL’s leading first grade goal scorer with 27, while Ben Realph (Picton, 19 goals) and Vin Musumeci (Tarrawanna, 32) was youth grade’s leading scoerer.
In first division, Fernhill’s Matthew Keep topped the first grade scoring tally with 25 goals, while Cameron Last (Berkeley, 26) and Ben French (Bellambi, 25) won the reserve grade and first grade scoring titles.
Tarrawanna were named IPL club champions after finishing eighth in first grade, first in reserve grade and sixth in youth grade.
Fernhill won the first division club championship after winning first and reserve grade and finishing sixth in youth grade.
The fair play awards went to South Coast United (IPL) and University (first division).