Southland Football wrapped up a successful season with its annual awards evening, honouring standout players, coaches, referees, and volunteers from across the region.

Development and Operations Manager Iain Walker praised the sport’s growth, saying, “Everywhere you look in Southland football, there’s exceptional talent, dedication and a genuine love of the game.”

Top individual honours went to Queens Park’s Tyler Andrews (Women’s Player of the Year) and Winton’s Miguel Ortiz (Men’s Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner with 16 goals).

Gore Wanderers’ Amiera Kortbaoui matched that tally to claim the Women’s Golden Boot and Youth Player of the Year. Old Boys’ Jayden Dawson was named Men’s Youth Player of the Year.

Coaching accolades went to Darryl Hands (Community Coach of the Year), Morgan Greene (Women’s Coach of the Year), and Hamish Low (Men’s Coach of the Year).

Volunteer awards included Cody Kinraid (Community Volunteer), Alex Sandiford (Youth Volunteer), and Craig Campbell, who received the Muriel Mathieson Award for outstanding contribution.

Other winners included Gareth Scott (Official of the Year), Douglas Ballie (Administrator of the Year), and Nikolay Shevlyakov (Referee of the Year). Winton FC was named Club of the Year.

Southland Football 2025 Awards

Performance and Community Awards

• Official of the Year: Gareth Scott – Thistle FC

• Administrator of the Year: Douglas Ballie – Thistle FC

• Referee of the Year: Nikolay Shevlyakov - Referees Association

Coach of the Year Awards

• Community Coach of the Year: Darryl Hands – Southland High Performance Football Academy

• Women’s Coach of the Year: Morgan Greene – Gore Wanderers AFC

• Men’s Coach of the Year: Hamish Low – Old Boys AFC

Volunteer of the Year Awards

• Youth Volunteer of the Year: Alex Sandiford - Old Boys AFC

• Community Volunteer of the Year: Cody Kinraid - Winton FC

Youth Player of the Year Awards

• Women’s Youth Player of the Year: Amiera Kortbaoui - Gore Wanderers AFC

• Men’s Youth Player of the Year: Jayden Dawson - Old Boys AFC

Player of the Year Awards

• Women’s Player of the Year: Tyler Andrews - Queens Park AFC

• Men’s Player of the Year: Miguel Ortiz - Winton FC

Top Goal Scorers

• Women’s Golden Boot: Amiera Kortbaoui (Gore Wanderers FC) 16 Goals

• Stu Munro Trophy: Miguel Ortiz (Winton FC) 16 Goals

Club of the Year: Winton FC

Muriel Mathieson Award – overall contribution to football in Southland:

Craig Campbell (Referees Association)

Pre-season Trophies

Reserve Grade Trophy/Div 1 – Thistle FC

Men’s Premier Trophy – Winton FC

Women’s Trophy – Gore Wanderers

Division Three

League Cup – Winton FC

Division Three Knockout Cup – Thistle FC

Division Two

League Cup – Te Anau FC

Division One

League Cup – Thistle FC

Women’s Trophies

Kolk Cup – Gore Wanderers

Ottley Challenge Trophy - Gore Wanderers AFC

Churchill Rose Bowl (for going the furthest in Chatham Cup or Kate Sheppard Cup) Queens Park Men SPL (Level One)

Premier Men’s Trophies

Donald Gray Memorial Cup – Winton FC

George Te Au Cup (runner up in Donald Gray) – Southern Steel Windows Old Boys AFC

Larry O’Rorke Challenge Trophy – Southern Steel Windows Old Boys AFC

End of Season Cups

Edinburgh Trophy – Balclutha

SBS Bank Knockout Cup – IHire Thistle FC

SBS Bank Super Cup - IHire Thistle FC

Charity Cup – Old Boys AFC

Men’s Super Cup – Old Boys AFC