The presentation of awards for the 2023 season was held at the Pickering Brook Sports Club on Friday the 13 of October with over 150 members, guests and sponsors attending the function.
Joint Club Captains Mark Caccetta & Mitch Shilling hold aloft the HFA Perpetual Grand Final Trophies to start the evening
Host for the evening Ken O’Reily welcomed the Masters ladies and gent’s teams and the current premiers, the Hawks, congratulating them on making 2023 such a successful season for the Pickering Brook Sporting Club.
Hawks President Rowan Arnott welcomed all who attended including sponsors and special guests. He indicated that this was the 3rd Grand Final he had played in for the club and acknowledged the great effort that had been performed by all associated with the club to bring home a premiership flag.
Rowan then took great pleasure in presenting Fred Van Elswyk with Life Membership of the club.
Fred has been a driving force for the Pickering Brook Sports Club for the past 32 years and was instrumental with Phil Newing in restarting the football club over 13 years ago. He has been continuously involved in administration and support of the Hawks over this term.
Other club awards followed including the Bruce Odgers Medal accepted by Matt Giglia for club service, followed by the Mike Fernie Award accepted by President Rowan for club leadership and Ben Harffey for Sponsorship service.
Veteran Mark Caccetta proudly presented his parents Maria and Leo with the Club Service award for their undying support on match days and Maria’s famous dishes for team meetings and other club functions.
There was no surprise when the winner of the Fairest and Best player was announced. Steve Caccetta had a stella season, topping this award off as well as being runner-up in the HFA best player award this season. Steve polled 156 club votes with Bradd Jetta running-up with 69 votes.
John Armstrong had a great season kicking over 100 goals, finishing in third spot. John was presented with a plaque by former Hawk Steve Atterton for the leading goal kicker. Steve pointed out that the last time 100 goals had been kicked for the club was by Dave Della Franca with 107 goals in 1993!
Jack Giancono and Cody Christensen finished the voting in the top five players for the club. Jack also received an additional award as the best positional player for the club.
Jamie Soklich won the Coaches Initiative award and Adam Brescacin was awarded the best players award in the Grand Final.
Coach Michael Outridge was honored by Captain Mark Cacetta and summarised the season, thanking Ben Harffey for his assistance as Team Manager and Richard Della Franca for his support. He added that 38 players had contributed to the club’s success and thanked his players and committee for their contribution throughout the season.
Milestones reached this 2023 season:
50 games, Jonathon Giles, Rowan Arnott, Cory McIvor and Steven Caccetta.
100 games, Mitchell Johnston, 150 games, Jackson Shilling and 200 games for Mitchell Shilling.
Ben Armstrong has been appointed the new coach for 2024 on Mick Outridge’s retirement and said he was looking forward to carrying on the success of the club next season.
No Club can survive without Sponsors and it shows how strong the Hills Community and in particular the Pickering Brook Community is, that the majority of our Sponsors are locals of the Pickering Brook and surrounding areas. Please go out of your way to support these businesses and individuals as it because of their support and commitment that the Pickering Brook Football Club continues to thrive.