Victoria’s football community gathered at Crown Palladium on Friday night for the 2024 Victorian Football Gala, presented by Senol, to celebrate a significant milestone in the sport.
More than 800 attendees, including players, coaches, referees, administrators, and volunteers, came together to honour achievements across all levels of the game, from community clubs to the Victorian Premier Leagues. The event culminated in the prestigious NPL Victoria Gold Medal Men’s and Women’s awards.
“These record participation figures show Victorians’ passion for football, both on and off the field. It’s why we’re committed to supporting the game at all levels, including our $42.29 million investment into The Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University Sports Park,” said Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events, praised the football community’s unity.
Football Victoria President Antonella Care, attending her final awards night as head of the FV Board, expressed her appreciation for the sport’s collective achievements stressing “This evening celebrates the best of our game, from grassroots to the elite level. It’s a chance to reflect, recognise excellence, and show gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our beloved sport.”
Hosted by A-Leagues broadcaster Michael Zappone and Channel Nine presenter Catriona Rowntree, the inaugural gala was a moment to reflect on football’s remarkable growth in the state.
This year saw a record number of coaches and referees, alongside 95,000 participants, taking part in competitions across Victoria.
Hume City’s Aamir Abdallah claimed the 2024 NPLM Gold Medal with 32 votes, after a standout season that included nine goals and six assists in 20 matches.
Abdallah also secured the Bill Fleming Medal for best NPLM player, as voted by commentators, and the Players’ Player award.
In the NPLW, the Gold Medal was jointly awarded to Bulleen’s Maja Markovski and Alamein’s Rebecca Saber, who both earned 24 votes.
Markovski capped off an impressive night, also taking home the NPLW Golden Boot and Media Player of the Year awards.
The full list of winners is below.
NPLM
Gold Medal: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
Players’ Player: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
Golden Boot: Alex Salmon (Oakleigh Cannons), Harrison Sawyer (South Melbourne)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Javier Lopez (South Melbourne)
Coach of the Year: Esteban Quintas (South Melbourne)
Goal of the Year: Mario Barcia (South Melbourne)
NPLW
Gold Medal: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions), Rebecca Saber (Alamein)
Players’ Player: Isabel Dehakiz (Bulleen Lions)
Golden Boot: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Bethany Mason-Jones (Essendon Royals)
Coach of the Year: Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
VPLM1
Best and Fairest: Connor Bell (Preston Lions)
Players’ Player: Dylan Allshorn (Brunswick City)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Bon Scott (Preston Lions)
Coach of the Year: Joe Palatsides (Melbourne Victory)
Golden Boot: Michael Domfeh (Northcote City), Archie MacPhee (Langwarrin)
VPLM2
Best and Fairest: Callum Schorah (Goulburn Valley Suns)
Players’ Player: Graham Kelly (Essendon Royals)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Patrick Cristea (Altona City)
Coach of the Year: Zeljko Popovic (Melbourne Srbija)
Golden Boot: Callum Schorah (Goulburn Valley Suns), Prince Jordan Adeyemi (Essendon Royals)
VPLW
Goalkeeper of the Year: Brooke Bennett (Ringwood City FC)
Coach of the Year: Liam Drury (Keilor Park SC)
Best & Fairest: Addison Steiner (Casey Comets)
Top Goal Scorer: Addison Steiner (Casey Comets)
Community Awards
Inclusion Award: Footscray Rangers
Female Coach of the Year: Rebecca Berry (Strathfieldsaye Colts United)
Male Coach of the Year: John Topic (Surf Coast)
Volunteer of the Year: Laurel Irvine (Sale United) and Enrico Marrone (Whitehouse United)
Futsal Club of the Year: Fitzroy Tigers Futsal Club
Regional Club of the Year: Wangaratta City
Metropolitan Club of the Year: Collingwood City FC
Female Football Champion of the Year: Michelle Williamson (Melton Phoenix)
Referee Awards
NPLM Referee of the Year: Michael Mammis
NPLW Referee of the Year: Courtney Van Diesen
Female Referee of the Year: Liana Georgiev
Male Referee of the Year: Hengsheng Li
Media Awards
Club Media Award: Hume City
Bill Fleming Media Award: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
NPLW Media Player of the Year: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions)
Les Shorrock Best Football Image Award: Matthew Johnson
