Players, families and coaches from the FQ Academy QAS program came together to celebrate the 2023 season at the end of year celebration held on Saturday, 11 November.
Grace Kuilamu was named the winner of the Sue Monteath Award for the 2023 FQ Academy QAS Player of the Year after a standout season which saw her earn a Liberty A-League contract with Brisbane Roar FC, while Players’ Player and QAS Behaviours and Standards Awards were presented across each age group alongside the Golden Boot and Goalkeeper of the Year.
“Our end of year celebration provided a wonderful opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of players from our FQ Academy QAS program in 2023, including those who made the exciting step up into national teams as part of the Junior Matildas and Young Matildas squads,” FQ Manager – Football Queensland Academy QAS Isaka Cernak said.
“It was great to be joined by Brisbane Roar FC’s Mariel Hecher and former Matilda Bryony Duus as we awarded our highest performing players and acknowledged graduating players who have been part of the program for five years.
“The 2023 Sue Monteath Award, for a player who has demonstrated the highest standard both on and off the field, was given to Grace Kuilamu after an impressive year in which she starred for the FQ Academy QAS side in the NPL Women, represented the country as part of the CommBank Junior Matildas squad at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers and made her Liberty A-League debut with Brisbane Roar FC.
“On behalf of Football Queensland, congratulations to all of our FQ Academy QAS award winners for 2023 and thank you to each of our players, their parents and our program coaches for another fantastic season.”
2023 FQ Academy QAS Award Winners
U14s
Players’ Player Award: Rani Sharma
QAS Behaviours and Standards Award: Xiana Ludwig
U15s
Players’ Player Award: Alyssa O’Grady
QAS Behaviours and Standards Award: Sophie King
U16s
Players’ Player Award: Kasey Peters & Kristina Puzaras
QAS Behaviours and Standards Award: Lilly Simpson
U18s
Players’ Player Award: Tully Heatley
QAS Behaviours and Standards Award: Sarah Birchall
Golden Boot
Sofia Zervos (21 goals)
Goalkeeper of the Year
Lilli Dunn
Sue Monteath Award
Grace Kuilamu
National Team Representation
Players who have been capped in a sanctioned game this year with the Junior Matildas (U17) and Young Matildas (U20)
*Players selected in national team training camps who did not feature in competitive fixtures
Ella O’Grady (Young Matildas)
Grace Kuilamu (Junior Matildas)
Lilly Simpson (Junior Matildas)
Shayla Williams (Junior Matildas)
Isabela Hoyos (Junior Matildas)
Chloe Parker (Junior Matildas)
Lily Punch (Junior Matildas)
Rosie McMahon (Junior Matildas – 2022)
*Kasey Peters (Junior Matildas)
*Amber Faherty (Junior Matildas)
*McKenna Magill (Junior Matildas)
