The RAA Celebration of Football, Football South Australia's prestigious annual awards night, proudly announced the award recipients for the 2026 season. Hosted by Jarrod Walsh and Rosie Panetta, the ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre brought together members of the South Australian football community to celebrate the outstanding achievements and successes of the past season.
The 2026 ceremony marked Jarrod Walsh’s 10th time hosting the prestigious awards night, celebrating a decade of involvement in recognising South Australian football’s players, coaches, clubs and volunteers.
Football South Australia extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners for 2026!
RAA National Premier League Awards
Player of the Year - Sergio Melta Medal: Hamish Gow | MetroStars
Coach of the Year - Martyn Crook Trophy: Vasili Parhas | Adelaide City
Golden Boot Award: George Blackwood | WT Birkalla
Goalkeeper of the Year - Peter Nikolich Award: John Hall | Adelaide City
RAA NPLSA Team of the Year | Presented by Gatorade
APEX Steel Women’s National Premier League Awards
Player of the Year - Shirley Brown Medal: Chrissy Panagaris | Adelaide Comets
Coach of the Year - Bob Bush Award: Mitchell Nicholson | WT Birkalla
Golden Boot Award: Niina Yamada | West Adelaide
Goalkeeper of the Year: Erin Murphy | West Adelaide
APEX Steel WNPLSA Team of the Year | Presented by Gatorade
HPG Homes State League One Awards
Player of the Year - Bob Telfer Medal: Ali Aqil | Adelaide Olympic
Coach of the Year: Nicholas Bouzalas | Adelaide Olympic
Golden Boot Award - Milan Ivanovic Trophy: Luke Fusco | Fulham United & Jonathon Rideout | The Cove FC
Goalkeeper of the Year - Les Avory Trophy: Lewis Cleland | Adelaide Olympic
APEX Steel Women’s State League Awards
Player of the Year - Ann Sergeant Medal: Skye Taka | Sturt Lions
Coach of the Year: Frank Tibaldi | Sturt Lions
Golden Boot Award: Skye Taka | Sturt Lions
Goalkeeper of the Year: Addison Hall-Jaunutis | Modbury Jets
HPG Homes State League Two North Awards
Player of the Year: Adebanji Adesida | Northern Demons Soccer Club
Coach of the Year: Omar Hassan | Pontian Eagles
Golden Boot Award: Cooper Wegner | Modbury Vista
Goalkeeper of the Year: Michael Gomes | Elizabeth Downs
HPG Homes State League Two South Awards
Player of the Year: Brima Kamara | Ghan United & Daniel Scorsonelli | Adelaide University
Coach of the Year: Dimitri Panagis | Vipers FC
Golden Boot Award: Mathis Pilon-St-Louis | Western Strikers
Goalkeeper of the Year: Seth Buttery | Vipers FC
Referee Awards
Mike Ingham Referee of the Year: Christian Verdicchio
Assistant Referee of the Year: Henry Day
Mick O’Malley Young Referee of the Year: Jayden Betterman
Hall of Fame Inductees:
Sam Ciccarello AM
Inducted as a member for outstanding contribution
Ben Moore
Inducted as a member for outstanding performance
Community Awards:
Community Coach of the Year: Luca Pisano | Adelaide Atletico VSC
Volunteer of the Year: Terry Kalaitsidis | Pontian Eagles
Under 18 & Reserve Awards:
State League Two North Under 18 Player of the Year: Ethan Wadsworth | Modbury Vista
State League Two South Under 18 Player of the Year: Ari Stassinopoulos | Seaford Rangers
State League Two North Reserve Player of the Year: Alexander Goetz | Modbury Vista
State League Two South Reserve Player of the Year: Eddie Gahe | Vipers FC | Shabani Juma | Vipers FC | Leonardo Mancini | Seaford Rangers
State League One Under 18 Player of the Year – Rab Jones Award: Axton Masefield | S.A. Panthers F.C.
State League One Reserve Player of the Year – Len Alagich Award: Lucas Botsos | Adelaide Olympic
RAA National Premier League Under 18 Player of the Year – John Francis Award: Paolo Matto | MetroStars
APEX Steel Women’s State League Reserves Player of the Year: Monique Go | Adelaide Jaguars
APEX Steel Women’s National Premier League Reserve Player of the Year: Elisha Rose | Adelaide Comets
RAA National Premier League Reserve Player of the Year – Charlie Caruso Award: Massimo Cerracchio | MetroStars
Community Women’s Awards:
Women’s Division 6 North Player of the Year: Elisa Saldi | One Tree Hill Soccer Club
Women’s Division 6 South Player of the Year: Chroran Kurban | Sturt Marion Thunder
Women’s Division 5 North Player of the Year: Linn Eriksson | Barossa United
Women’s Division 5 South Player of the Year: Juliette Paice & Judy Rathjen | Sturt Lions
Women’s Division 4 North Player of the Year: Jessica Fulford | Northern Demons Soccer Club
Women’s Division 4 South Player of the Year: Stacey Mortell | Southern Breakers
Women’s Division 3 Player of the Year: Patty Van Duijn | Flinders United
Women’s Division 2 Player of the Year: Glodie Kilozo | Playford Patriots
Women’s Division 1 Player of the Year: Madeleine Lipscombe | F.C. Summit
Rising Star Awards:
John Aloisi Rising Star: Freddie Muller | Croydon FC
Kristyn Swaffer Female Rising Star: Kylie Pridham | Adelaide Comets
Donald Campbell Referee Rising Star: Damir Davis & Taylor Van Der Hoeven
The complete vote counts are now available! Check out the full tally below.
RAA NPLSA Player of the Year | Sergio Melta Medal
RAA NPLSA Reserves Player of the Year | Charlie Caruso Medal
RAA NPLSA Under 18 Player of the Year | John Francis Medal
APEX Steel WNPLSA Player of the Year | Shirley Brown Medal
APEX Steel WNPLSA Reserves Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League One Player of the Year | Bob Telfer Medal
HPG Homes State League One Reserves Player of the Year | Len Alagich Award
HPG Homes State League One Under 18 Player of the Year | Rab Jones Award
APEX Steel WSL Player of the Year | Ann Sergeant Medal
APEX Steel WSL Reserves Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two North Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two North Reserves Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two North Under 18 Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two South Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two South Reserves Player of the Year
HPG Homes State League Two South Under 18 Player of the Year