The New Zealand Football Awards, recognising the achievements of 2023 across football and futsal, from the community game to high performance, have been announced. 

Watch the broadcast of the awards being announced, with responses from the winners, from 7pm on the New Zealand Football YouTube channel. 

The winners of the playing and coaching awards were voted on by a panel of New Zealand football media representatives plus a public vote which attracted over 2,800 responses. 

Ford Football Ferns and Inter Milan defender Katie Bowen was voted the overall Player of the Year, in addition to winning Women’s Player of the Year, after a strong season and FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign that saw the Ferns only concede one goal in three games. 

Speaking on the award, Bowen said:

“I am so stoked right now, a little in shock, but I just want to say thank you to my teammates and to all the coaches and players that I’ve played with throughout my career.

“2023 was a massive whirlwind and obviously we had the World Cup in our backyard so playing in front of family and friends was such a fun time and the biggest honour of my life. 

“Thank you mostly to my family for everything you do for me and for everything you have sacrificed. 

“And ultimately, thank you dad.”

The full list of winners are:

Men’s International Player of the Year:
Chris Wood

Women’s International Player of the Year:
Katie Bowen

Women’s Domestic Player of the Year:
Deven Jackson

Men’s Domestic Player of the Year:
Cam Howieson

Women’s Domestic Coach of the Year:
Maia Vink

Men’s Domestic Coach of the Year:
Rupert Kemeys

Men’s Referee Award:
Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh

Men’s Assistant Referee Award:
Isaac Trevis

Women’s Referee Award:
Anna-Marie Keighley

Women’s Assistant Referee Award:
Sarah Jones

Futsal Referee Award:
Chris Sinclair

Men’s Young Player of the Year:
Marko Stamenić

Women’s Young Player of the Year:
Indiah-Paige Riley

McDonald’s Community Coach of the Year:
Tom Zwinnen - Ngatapa Hurricanes

McDonald’s Community Referee of The Year:
Josh Hobman 

Women’s Futsal Player of the Year:
Jordana Bremner 

Men’s Futsal Player of the Year:
Dylan Manickum 

Futsal Coach of the Year:
Marvin Eakins 

Futsal Team of the Year:
Futsal Whites 

International Coach of the Year:
Darren Bazeley

Team of the Year:
Ford Football Ferns

Player of the Year:
Katie Bowen

Moment of the Year:
Hannah Wilkinson’s goal against Norway at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to win the Ferns first game at the tournament.

Article added: Monday 29 April 2024