Accolades for footballing pair

DOUBLE WIN: Alan Ferguson of Ngongotaha FC and Kim Maguire, skipper of Rotorua United's women's team, have been named player of the year in their respective leagues, the WaiBOP men's and women's premierships.

Football
Players from two of the districts title winning football teams have been honoured with individual awards.

Kim Maguire, skipper of the Rotorua United's women's team that won the WaiBOP Women's premiership, has won that division's player of the year award, while midfielder Alan Ferguson from Ngongotaha FC has won the equivalent award in the WaiBOP men's premiership. Ngongotaha won this year's WaiBOP championship title at a canter.

Maguire said the win was quite unexpected.

''I was up against some fine players and I am actually quite humble to be voted player of the year,'' she said.

She was even more surprised that she gained more than half of the votes cast.

She takes her role as skipper seriously.

''I think I've probably got the most experience in the team and, as a captain, that's what you want to do, to set a good example and hope that everyone's on the same road as you and I believe that we are because we did win the championship.''

She said the award will give her a lift for next Sunday's game against Northland FC in the second leg of the play off to see which team is promoted to the Northern Women's League. Rotorua lost the first leg 6-3.

''I hope it will give the team a lift for Sunday - on a personal note, I know it will give me a lift for that game and I do hope we can come away with a win.''

In a big week, Maguire has also been selected to play for the WaiBOP team to play in the National Women's League this summer.

Ferguson said he was delighted to win the accolade.

''It's quite a proud achievement and reward for the season we have had. I was up against a lot of good player, so it's nice to win it.''

Ferguson has won team player of the year awards before, but never a league-wide award.

''People should see it as a reward for the team. I don't know if it would have mattered who the club had nominated, we would have had a very good chance of winning it because we've had players who have been outstanding all over the park, so it's really good for the club to get recognised that way.''

Both Rotorua Women's team coach Ron Cane and Ngongotaha captain Dave Haua said the players from their respective teams were worthy winners.

"It's thoroughly well deserved," said Cane, "24goals in league and cup is a tremendous return from her and, like many other players, she has had to play in various positions in order to plug the holes."

Maguire's leadership skills also came in for praise.

"She's a good leader who is very concerned about her team - like a captain should be. It's the icing on the cake."

Haua said Ferguson has been outstanding all season for the championship winning side.

"He's just been able to fill that (midfield) spot this year and he has just fitted in so well and done more than we expected him to do."

Well over 2000 votes were cast across the seven leagues open to voting.

In the junior ranks, Jason Nel of Geyser Football was runner-up in the under-15 player of the year award.