The Co-operative Netball Superleague Awards

Friday April 25th 2008
 

The International Convention Centre, Birmingham

    
 

Mavericks, The Co-operative Superleague champions for 2008, added more trophies to their cabinet when they scooped three of the main awards at the inaugural Co-operative Superleague Player of the Year Awards in front of an invited audience at the ICC in Birmingham. Voted for by players and management from each of the eight Co-operative Netball Superleague franchises, the awards recognise the very best in the league for their efforts during a thrilling season that kept audiences and television viewers enthralled to the very last game.

Mavericks coach Maggie Jackson scooped the prestigious Coach of the Year award for masterminding Mavericks' title winning challenge, culminating in a thrilling 43-39 victory over Loughborough Lightning in the Grand Final and Mavericks franchise chair Gloria Keech was named Volunteer of the Year for her work in ensuring that Mavericks continues to flourish in such a competitive sporting and commercial environment. The award recognises people who selflessly give of their time and energy to ensure that franchises and fixtures run effectively, and this was a hotly contested category, with Carole McGrail, Claire Guest, Carol Spencer, Peter Ferneyhough, Liz Bloor and Anne Stephenson given special mentions for their work with their respective franchises.

Mavericks and England defender Amanda Newton was named "Maneater of the Year" as the player who, in the opinion of her peers, is the fiercest and most feared opponent in the Co-operative Netball Superleague.  The 2006-2007 champions TeamBath had two reasons to celebrate, despite losing their title to Mavericks last season, when Pamela Cookey was named Player of the Year and Serena Guthrie picked up the Rookie of the Year award, to cap a superb season.

Former England captain Olivia Murphy was named Players' Player of the Year, as the player who the squads respect most in recognition of her performances through the year for Loughborough Lightning, which helped to take her side to the top of the table at the end of the regular league season.

Gary Burgess was one of the evening's most popular winners when he was named Umpire of the Year. Despite being the only man umpiring in the league this season, Gary was recognised by players and management alike for maintaining the highest possible standards across the season and putting in some superb umpiring performances.

Team Northumbria was the recipient of the special Co-operative Franchise Community Award, judged on the franchise which has made the most significant contribution to its local community, building awareness of netball and the Co-operative Netball Superleague in particular.

England Netball and The Co-operative would like to thank the Birmingham City Council for their support for this event.

Below are the full list of recipients for all the Awards:

Player of the Year - Pamela Cookey (TeamBath)

Players Player of the Year - Olivia Murphy (Loughborough Lightning)

 

Rookie of the Year - Serena Guthrie (TeamBath)

Coach of the Year - Maggie Jackson (Mavericks)

Umpire of the Year - Gary Burgess

Volunteer Award - Gloria Keech (Mavericks)

Maneater Award - Amanda Newton (Mavericks)

 

Community Award - Team Northumbria

 

The 2007-08 Co-operative Netball Superleague Dream Team:

GS Louisa Brownfield (Mavericks), GA Pamela Cookey (TeamBath), WA Karen Atkinson (Mavericks), C Olivia Murphy (Loughborough Lightning), WD Jade Clarke (Loughborough Lightning), GD Amanda Newton (Mavericks), GK Naomi Siddall (Mavericks).

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All Images courtesy of Action Images - www.actionimages.com