NLSA Announces 2023 Awards Recipients
For immediate release (December 6, 2023) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association is pleased to announce its award winners for the 2023 season. They will be recognized in April at the annual Hall of Fame Induction and awards ceremony.
The awards recipients are as follows:
| Award | Recipient |
| Judi Kelloway Award | Sarah Baker, St. John’s GU17 |
| George Innes Award | Colin Dyer, Feildians BU17 |
| Laura Breen Award | Jane Pope, Holy Cross Nutraholdings |
| Brian Murphy Award | Michael O’Brien, Holy Cross Kirby Group |
| Youth Team of the Year | St. John’s GU17 PYL |
| Angus Barrett Award | Holy Cross Kirby Group Jubilee Trophy |
| Doug Sweetapple Award | Erick Mathiasen, CBS Soccer |
| Doug Redmond Award | Deidre MacDonnell, Corner Brook United |
| Ben Lake Award | Krista Tobin, CBS Soccer |
| Ross Arlett | Gord Farrell |
| Youth Female Official of the Year | Allison Hutchings |
| Youth Male Official of the Year | Drew Avery |
Youth Female Player of the Year
Sarah Baker, St. John’s SC, GU17
Sarah had a really strong performance for St. John's Soccer Girls U17 team this season. She was the rock at the heart of defense for her club team finishing the regular season with an unbeaten record, conceding only five goals in 18 regular games. From there she led her team to winning the inaugural Breen's Cup prior to representing the province at club nationals in Moncton, NB. At club nationals, Sarah played every minute of every game played, scoring the opening goal against pre-tournament favourites Alberta with an audacious free kick from just inside the opponent’s half. Sarah's performance helped her team to a very credible 4th placed finish, just missing out on the gold medal game. She was later named to First-Touch Football (FTF) Canada’s all-star team for GU17 nationals. Sarah also played significant minutes for the Holy Cross Jubilee team this season and represented the NLSA at the U16 Umbro Cup in Ontario.
George Innes Award (Youth Male player of the Year)
Colin Dyer, Feildians BU17
Colin had the unique opportunity to contribute to three championship teams in 2023. In addition to being part of the Feildians BU17 team which represented the province at nationals in New Brunswick, Colin suited up regularly for the Feildians Challenge Cup Championship team and was part of Intermediate Division champions Michelob Ultra. Despite being a newcomer to the Feildians organization, Colin’s skill and work ethic quickly made him a part of the BU17 starting XI. A gritty central defender, Colin’s poise and steely determination helped anchor the Feildians U17 back line in a highly competitive division.
Laura Breen Award (Senior Female Player of the Year)
Jane Pope Holy Cross Jubilee
Jane continued to make history on the local and national scene in 2023, further establishing herself as a top rate goal scorer and play maker. While leading her team to their 8th straight Jubilee Trophy championship, Jane led the league in scoring, was chosen regular season MVP and was named a league All-star. In addition to her goal scoring prowess, she is also one of the league's top play makers with accurate passing and precise crosses.
Jane continued her strong form at Jubilee nationals in Nova Scotia, where she was an impact player for the defending national champions. In addition to setting up her team mates, she tied for the golden boot award as the tournament’s top scorer for the second year in a row, as Holy Cross Nutraholdings captured their second consecutive national title.
Brian Murphy Award (Senior Male Player of the Year)
Michael O’Brien, Holy Cross Kirby Group
Michael O''Brien once again has demonstrated why he is considered one of the Challenge Cup league's top field generals. His game intelligence, poise and defensive skill sets are some of the reasons why his team has been successful over the past number of years. His abilities have been recognized by the league and in 2023 he was named the regular season MVP, Top Defender, and league All-star.
Doug Sweetapple Award (Coach of the Year)
Erick Mathiasen, CBS Soccer
Erick played a crucial role in the success of teams at both the club and provincial level in 2023. In CBS, he was the head coach of the CBS Strikers Men's Intermediate team, the CBS Strikers Ladies Intermediate team, the Boys Under 13 Premier Youth League team, and the Under 15 Girls Kirby Group Strikers FC (PYL Tier 1). This Girls U15 team went undefeated throughout the regular season, won gold in final weekend, and put in a strong performance at club nationals. Erick is a committed coach who is admired and respected by the players he coaches. He loves being involved in many teams, and although he has filled the invaluable role of head coach for many teams both for his club as well as for NLSA, he still manages to share his coaching expertise with young coaches, as well as be involved in many camps and recreational programs. This has ensured Erick has maintained a warm, welcoming and friendly persona within the club and across the province and country in all of his coaching endeavours.
Ben Lake Award (Executive of the Year)
Krista Tobin, CBS Soccer
Krista has served on the Board for the past six years and has been an integral part of the success of the Club during that time. As the Board’s Referee Director, Krista is responsible for overseeing and being involved in the coordination, assigning and training of referees for the Club. Krista ensures that they have the proper level of training for the games they are assigned and ensures they are registered to referee at house league, metro league and with the NLSA programs. Each year Krista coordinates more than 50 referees and their assignments. As a former referee, Krista works with the club’s officials to ensure they have the support they need to progress and meets with them on a regular basis to help ensure they are comfortable and growing in their roles.
Youth Team of the year
St. John’s GU17
The St. John’s GU17 overcame significant obstacles to reach the bronze medal game and improve their ranking by three places at the U17 national championships in New Brunswick. The team entered the tournament ranked 7th overall based on their performance in 2022. That year, the team had lost handily to both Ontario and Alberta, who went into this tournament ranked #2 and #3 in the country, and in the same division as NL. St. John’s went on to register solid wins against both Ontario and Alberta, finishing second overall in their division and advancing to the bronze medal game vs. Quebec. The team finished the tournament in fourth place overall, based on an impressive performance from a short bench, garnering accolades from Canada Soccer officials and their fellow athletes for their professionalism and work ethic. They were later ranked in the top ten of girls U17 teams in Canada by First Touch Football (FTF) Canada for their performance at nationals.
Angus Barrett Award (Senior Team of the Year)
Holy Cross Kirby Group Jubilee Trophy
After capturing their eighth straight Provincial Jubilee Trophy championship, Holy Cross Nutraholdings refocused to defend their national title at the Toyota national championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At nationals, Holy Cross went undefeated with four wins and a tie, not allowing a single goal against. Their success earned them their second straight National Jubilee Trophy championship. Their success was the first time a national champion from this province was able to defend its title. In addition, to their national championship, Holy Cross won the Fair Play award for their sporting behavior at the championships, and have since been named to the NLSA Honour Roll of Teams, only the fifth team to receive the distinction.
Doug Redmond Award (Volunteer of the Year)
Deidre MacDonnell, Corner Brook United
Deidre was instrumental in working with clubs and coaches in western NL to create a Premier Youth League for that area and they completed a very successful first season. Deidre was also the chair of the local organizing committee for the Boys U13/U14 Atlantic championships held in Corner Brook this past July, ensuring that the competition operated as smoothly as possible and that any issues or concerns were quickly and appropriately addressed with safety of players top of mind. Diedre also sat on the provincial competitions committee this past year and on numerous committees in her own district.
Ross Arlett Award (Senior Official of the Year)
Gord Farrell
If there was a soccer game being played this summer, Gord Farrell wasn’t far away. Whether that was Challenge Cup, Jubilee Trophy, Premier Youth League or high school, intermediate or recreational soccer, Gord was often involved, and willing to step up if someone else wasn’t available. Gord’s hard work this season was rewarded with final four assignments for Challenge Cup. Gord also officiated at the university level and at the Eastern Canadian Masters Championships in September. In addition to his own soccer officiating, Gord also takes time to pass his knowledge along to youth referees when he is doing games with them.
Youth Female Official
Allison Hutchings
As a youth official, Allison is confident, excited, and willing to learn and made herself available for lots of games this season, in addition to playing her own games. A highlight of the year was officiating in the middle for the U13 Girls PYL semi final.
Youth Male official
Drew Avery
Drew Avery grew more confident every game he did and that showed in the confidence referee coordinators had in him by putting him in games that tested his capability and commitment. As the season went on the assignments got moer challeging and Drew came through them with flying colours. Drew was also a name on the lips of his senior peers as a reliable assistant who made challenging decisions and wasn't afraid to do so.