Riverina family on track to be fairest of all on the field
In what could soon become a family tradition, nine-year old Isaiah Potts took out the under-11 boys plate fair play award at the Kanga Cup Awards at the University of Canberra last night.
Isaiah’s older brother Blake won the same award last year and according to dad, Simon, it’s an accolade they’re keen to keep in the family in future.
“I’ve got another younger son as well so now he’s got something to live up to in the coming years, he’s seven years old playing in the under-10’s this year,” Mr Potts said.
Isaiah’s achievement is all the more impressive considering that, like his older brother last year, Isaiah was playing a year above his age group at the tournament.
According to Mr Potts, living in Griffith, NSW, means it’s not always easy for Isaiah or his brothers to showcase their skills, making their trip to Kanga Cup each year that much more special.
“It’s difficult because we have to travel so far to play in big tournaments and get competitive football,” he said.
“The boys have been looking forward to this since last July. We count it down, it’s a fantastic tournament, it’s a fantastic time away for us for families, but they love the Kanga Cup, they think it’s fantastic”, Mr Potts said.
Another of the night’s award recipients was the President of Capital Football, John Logue, who was honoured as the volunteer of the tournament.
Logue, who has been involved in the staging of the Kanga Cup in various roles for over a decade, accepted the award on behalf of all the event’s hardworking volunteers.
I’m lucky, I just happen to have the time to put into it but without all the volunteers the Kanga Cup just wouldn’t take place or if it did, it wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is,” Logue said.
Tareq Van Ogestrum was honoured as the tournaments top referee.
Van Ogestrum, from Brisbane, is officiating in his first Kanga Cup and said the experience was one he’s keen to repeat.
“It’s a great honour and I am privileged and I have had an enjoyable week with lots of new experiences and made new friends amongst all the referees,” Van Ogestrum said.
On the night however there was perhaps no one prouder than the Potts parents who have dreams of one day seeing at least one of their talented sons representing Australia.
Isaiah’s thoughts on the matter?
“Yeah, I reckon I could.”
Full list of award winners:
|
Competition |
Fair Play Award |
Player of the Tournament |
|
G10 Cup |
Woden Wanderers |
Gabrielle Risteka (Monaro Panthers) |
|
B10 Cup |
Chung Hua Ellementary School |
Soroush Zand (Sydney Apia Tigers) |
|
B10 Plate |
Brindabella Blues |
Mitchell Braithwaite (Belnorth Red) |
|
B10 Shield |
Weston Creek Piranhas |
Andre Farhad (Tuggeranong United Tornadoes) |
|
G11 Cup |
Monaro Panthers |
Emily Trinick (Brindabella Blues) |
|
B11 Cup |
Tuggeranong |
Emmanuel Brimma (Peninsula Strikers) |
|
B11 Plate |
Majura Gladiators |
Isaiah Potts (Griffith United) |
|
G12 Cup |
Brindabella |
Caitlin Spicer (Brindabella Blues) |
|
B12 Cup |
Westside Panthers |
Marvin Potrus (Fairfield Hotspurs) |
|
B12 Plate |
Majura Reds |
Ben Van Meurs (Belsouth Vipers |
|
G13 Cup |
Majura Eagles |
Andrea Stewart (Tuggeranong Tornadoes) |
|
B13 Cup |
Tuggeranong Titans |
Andrew Nguyen (Canberra Grammer School A’s) |
|
B13 Plate |
Cooma Tigers |
Vincent Nu (Gungahlin United) |
|
G14 Cup |
Belwest Kung Pows |
Kaeley Draper (Tuggeranong Tornadoes) |
|
B14 Cup |
Coastal Spirit |
Burak Durnaoglu (Light United) |
|
B14 Plate |
Marist |
Aidan Rodgers (Mooroolbark) |
|
G15 Cup |
Tuggeranong Comets |
Jessica Cerro (Gladesville Ravens) |
|
B15 Cup |
Fairfield Patrician Brothers |
Lachlan Barber (West Wallsend) |
|
B15 Plate |
Coffs United |
Dean Slatterly (Coffs United) |
|
G16 Cup |
Tuggeranong Matildas |
Lori Depozynski (Coffs United) |
|
G16 Plate |
Monaro Panthers |
Natalie Gorgioski (Northbridge) |
|
B16 Cup |
Leichardt Tigers |
Attrain Issac (Sydney Juniors) |
|
B16 Plate |
Gungahlin United |
Mitch Golding (Coffs United) |
|
G18 Cup |
Belconnen United |
Jessica Ross (STFA) |
|
B18 Cup |
St Andrews Cathedral School |
Jacob Parnell (Colo FC) |
|
Junior Referee of the Tournament |
Zac Clarke |
|
|
Senior Referee of the Tournament |
Tareq van Ogestrom |
|
|
Referees Fair Play Award |
Sarah Drake |
|
|
Volunteer of the Year Award |
John Logue |
|