MEMORIAL NETBALL AWARDS
Netball Club Person of the Year – Tracy Nicholls Memorial Trophy
Tracy played over 100 games for the Min-Man netball club.
She played the majority in A1’s as a goalie, winning a premiership in 1997
Not only a presence on the netball court Tracy was a great contributor to the social activities at Min-Man being social convener for a number of years.
Tracy was married to Trent and is the mother to Georgia, Sam & Lucy Nicholls.
She loved sport but especially loved watching her children play sport.
Tragically Tracy’s life was cut short due to cancer.
We honour Tracy’s contribution to the club with this inaugural trophy
MEMORIAL FOOTBALL AWARDS
U14s Best Team Man – Lewis Bruhn Memorial Trophy
Lewis Bruhn was born into the MinMan Sporting Club. His father, Leon, played all his footy for the club and mother, Deb, came to the club in her teens.
Lewis never was and never wanted to be a star in his team. He was a team player who always put others and the good of the team before himself. He was also a loyal club person, helping out where ever he was needed.
Lewis left this area in 2012 to pursue his dream of working in the Outback. He spent 18 months as a ringer on Anna Creek Station. He loved this life but never lost his loyalty for ‘home’ and this club.
Tragically Lewis was taken from us in a vehicle accident on 17th August 2013.
The Bruhn Family know the recipient of this trophy will display the values of team work and loyalty as Lewis did.
U14s Best & Fairest – Lawrie Ackland Memorial Trophy
U14s Most Improved – Leigh McEvoy Memorial Trophy
U14s Most Consistent – Lindsay Smith Memorial Trophy
Lindsay was team manager for U14s for a number of years when his son’s Brett & Tim played many years ago.He always donated a trophy for this grade. As a family we wanted to keep on donating a trophy in his memory. One thing he hated was going to Clare to watch football, he had a thing about the Clare oval.
U17s Best & Fairest – Richard Hodge Memorial Trophy
U17s Best Team Man – Brett Allen Memorial Trophy
Brett was the eldest son of Colleen & Philip Allen and brother to Kylie, Kym & Jodie. Brett passed away in April 2002, aged 14 as a result of a motor bike accident on their farm.
Brett loved his sport, playing football, cricket and basketball. He played minis & junior colts for Min-Man. He loved being part of the team and he loved playing with his mates and the Min-Man club
The Allen family donate this trophy in his memory
B Grade Best & Fairest – George Faulkner Memorial Trophy
B Grade Most Mail Medal Votes – Eric Mitchell Memorial Trophy
Eric Mitchell was a very good country footballer and cricketer. There are at least three Mortlock Trophies with his name on them, this being the A Grade Best & Fairest trophy for both the Mintaro Football Club back in the day and the Mintaro-Manoora Sporting Club. He has had many football and cricket trophies awarded to him over his playing career.
Eric loved nothing more than watching his family play sport and the Mitchell Family donate this trophy in his memory
A Grade Best Team Man – Danny Ross Memorial Trophy & Perpetual Shield
A Grade Most Improved – Hogben Memorial Trophy
The Hogben Memorial Trophy was established in 1972 under the title of “The John Hogben Memorial Trophy”. John was a long time sprigger of the Manoora Football Club and carried on the position after the amalgamation of the Mintaro and Manoora Football Clubs (He is pictured in the 1970 A Grade Premiership photo).
In 2004, the trophy was renamed the “Hogben Memorial Trophy” to incorporate the memory of his 25 year old grandson, Mark Hogben, who passed away as a result of an accident.
A “Sprigger” was responsible for attending to the base of the football boot where there were 8 or more wooden or metal studs attached to the boot by small nails. Before the start of a football match, both teams had to line up and the umpire would check every players boots to ensure there were no nails protruding or no sharp sprigs. The “Spriggers” role before the game was to maintain each players boots and to replace and sprigs that were dislodged during the game.
A Grade Most Medal Votes – Roger Fisher Memorial Trophy
Roger Leon Fisher was born at Broken Hill, New South Wales on the 28th March 1945. He lived on Old Boolcoomatta station not far from Olary in South Australia’s far north till the age of 8 years when the family moved to Mintaro. After leaving school, he worked as an apprentice carpenter and joiner in Clare and completed his apprenticeship.
Roger was one of four brothers and 1 sister who all played football and netball for Mintaro in the 60s & 70s. Roger started his football in the 60s at the age of 15 or 16 playing in the “A11” football competition for Mintaro, and was lucky enough to win a premiership along with his two brothers, Graham and Trevor in 1965.
He was called up for National Service (Vietnam War), enlisted in July 1966 and was posted to the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Puckapunyal, Victoria. On the 7th of December, Roger was posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment based at Woodside South Australia and was allocated to 3 Platoon, A Company.
On the 16th of December 1967, Roger departed Outer Harbour on the HMAS Sydney and arrived in South Vietnam on the 27th of December 1967.
On the 26th of April 1968, 3 RAR was operating in Bein Hoa Province east of Siagon to prevent an enemy attack on the capital “Saigon” and the US logistics bases. Very late in the afternoon, Lance-Corporal Roger Leon Fisher was killed in action.
Shortly after Rogers death, his parents, the late Len & Iris Fisher started the Roger Fisher Memorial Trophy and his family would love to continue to donate this trophy as long as the club wishes.
Football Person of the Year Award – Willmott Memorial Award
In memory of Percival George Willmott and his contribution to football.
Perce arrived in Manoora in 1952 from Yongala with his wife Elsie and 4 Children.
He joined Manoora Football Club and attended his first AGM in 1957 to remain a very active member until 1978.
Perce was a trainer for 16 years 1959-1975. He was on many committees including trophy, colts, selection and football committee. He donated trophies over the years as well as donations of wine, wood, chooks and sheep to raise funds for the club. He would also be a doorkeeper at club functions and offered his services when the new Manoora change rooms were built. Perce as also a selector for the U17s B&F and on the panel to pick the most consistent player match day park attendant. He was a very avid club supporter who was rather one eyed when umpiring decisions went the wrong way.
Perce supported his 3 sons Kevin, Dean and Rob in each of their football careers. He supported the MinMan amalgamation in 1969 and became the clubs first Chief Trainer until 1975 after which he continued to follow MinMan football matches until his passing in 1992.
This award is donated by the Willmott Family – Pat Quick, Marg Browne, Kevin Willmott, Dean Willmott and Rob Willmott