200 players, parents and coaches were in attendance for the 2020 QAS end of season luncheon, which was held at Victoria Park on Sunday, 6 December.
The celebration of the season featured awards and prizes across all age groups, with Holly McQueen awarded the Sue Monteath Award for the 2020 QAS Player of the Year.
McQueen, who was recently called into an extended Young Matildas camp squad, was presented the award by the first ever Queensland Matildas captain Sue Monteath and last year’s inaugural award winner Jamilla Rankin.
“The Sue Monteath Award, presented for the first time last year, is a great tradition of recognising high performing athletes within our QAS program,” Women and Girls High Performance Officer Tom McDonald said.
“Both Jamilla and Holly are great ambassadors of our game and embody what the QAS program is all about.”
QAS Head Coach Garrath McPherson and State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said McQueen was extremely deserving of the Player of the Year accolade.
“Holly brought to the team her unwavering competitiveness; she is driven to win every thing she does,” McPherson said.
“Holly was an integral part of the QAS backline. She rarely missed a tackle or lost a duel and had an incredibly high passing accuracy.”
“I’ve followed Holly’s development from an early age and her mentality and perseverance always made her a steady achiever,” Ganczer said.
“She is a true example for young talented players in Queensland.”
Guest speakers Sue Monteath and Football Queensland Board Member Paula Robinson spoke about the history of women’s football and how it has shaped the women’s game today, while State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer reflected on the year that was.
Football Queensland would like to congratulate all award winners who were recognised on the day, and thank all those who were involved in the 2020 QAS program.
2020 QAS Award Winners
U13s
Players’ Player Award – Grace Kuilamu
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – Marli Danger
U14s
Players’ Player Award – Zara Kruger
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – Daisey Bateman & Sarah Birchall
U15s
Players’ Player Award – Makenzie Nielson
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – Chelsea Fairbairn
U16s
Players’ Player Award – Holly Littlejohn
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – May Salazar
U17s
Players’ Player Award – Faith Stephenson
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – Serenity Thake
Goalkeepers
Keepers’ Keeper Award – Keva Culkin
QAS Standards and Behaviours Award – Georgia Martell