Workington Ladies turned Derwent Park red on Friday night as they celebrated in style for what has been a highly successful first season at the home of Workington Town RLFC.
The club has grown from strength to strength over the season which emanated from the strong links forged between the Reds Ladies and Workington Town RLFC and the backing of the team by Workington Reds AFC.
Thanks were expressed to both clubs for their support over the season.
Their annual awards ceremony was a sell-out and as well as being well supported on the night, they had also been superbly supported by numerous local businesses through generous donations for their impressive raffle prizes.
On their generosity, one of the evening organisers, Megan Yarnold said: “The support that we have received throughout the season from local businesses has been immense and this has again been displayed in their willingness to support us again tonight. We can’t begin got thank them enough.
“Workington’s Tesco store has supported us throughout the season providing food and drink to all of the junior girls teams that have played curtain raisers before our games.
“This is somewhere in the region of up to 400 players throughout the season and their support has been awesome and this, along with the support of Workington Town, has helped us to do our bit to bring the girls junior football community a bit closer to us.”
Morgan McGrady collected the first two awards of the night as she ended up as the season’s Top Goalscorer and was also voted as the Young Player of the Season by coaches Rebecca Scott and Colin Teasdale for the excitement she brings through her performance with the ball at her feet.
Sophie Douglas collected the Manager’s Player of the Season award for her hard working performances on the pitch and displays of an attitude that shows far greater maturity than her tender age as this is her first full season after leaving the County Junior Leagues last season.
The final two awards were scooped up by two players that have been ever present this season and both of whom have led from the front throughout.
Vice captain, Laura Miller, received the highest accolade possible from her peers when she was selected as the Players’ Player of the Season. Miller’s form has been of the highest quality over the season and has regularly been a top performer. This has obviously caught the eyes of her teammates and her selection is fully deserved.
Captain, Naomi Foster, was awarded the Player of the Season award and like Miller, her selection was a justified reward for a season where she has delivered high quality performances on a weekly basis.
This award was based on the recognition given to players by our opponents after every game and Foster has put herself in the shop window on many occasions.
Recapping on the season, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to the full squad of players, the coaches and everyone that has helped to facilitate our growth this year and those that have supported us, thank you all, you’ve simply been amazing. “Congratulations to all of tonight’s award winners, their recognition is fully deserved.
“This season has been a very successful season for the club and the future of football for females in our community.
“We have found a place for us to call “home” and this has enabled us to grow links with junior footballers and their clubs. It’s given us a platform to build from and I think we have taken really positive strides to benefit from this.
“We have work to do on the pitch and improve our performances, as such we are looking forward to recharging our batteries before we return to training in early July. As well as looking forward to having several of our long term injured players back next season, we have started to strengthen our squad for next season and have recently added three players to the list of those starting back in July.”
