Atlanta Kookaburra's Awards Night

^{Marty Hyder & Mike Powers}

The 2006 Pratt Industries Atlanta Kookaburras MVP Vote Count and Awards Night was a night for the Irish and a historic Life Membership award. Best & Fairest Medal for the men's team went to Irishman Barry Collins and for the women's team 2006 Irish import Eva Mc Nelis was worthy winner.

Collins who has played with the Kookaburras since 2002 had twice won Best Non Australian Player but this year went one better taking that award as well as the coveted Best & Fairest Player Award or MVP. Collins known simply as "Bazza" to his footy mates knows how to assert his authority on the field and his courage and determination is unmatched. Runner Up to Collins was Brent Kewley in only his second year of the game who just finished in front of last years Rookie of the Year, Curtis Jones.

Eva Mc Nelis came to the US in 2006 on a study tour and, recruited from the local Gaelic team, was instrumental in the Lady Kookaburra's second National Championship win. Mc Nelis one of the fittest and hardest working athletes you will ever meet  who left no stone unturned to become one of the best Aussie Rules players in the US and was a worthy winner of the women's award.

Speaking from her home in Ireland today Mc Nelis said she was very surprised but thrilled with the honor and left her thanks squarely with her wonderful teammates and friends she made here in Atlanta.

The other thrill of the night was the awarding of Life Membership to Marty Hyder. Hyder received his honor from the only other Life Member club founder Mike Powers. Mike Powers when presenting the award related that if he was here from Day 1, well Marty was here from Day 2.Hyder is second in the all time games played for the Kookas and has held many duties in his 9 years as part of the club.

Another award winner on the night was Best First Year player Reid Tankersley. Tankersley was thrown into rucking duties very early in his footy and did extremely well. Head Coach Mike Powers awarded Most Improved to the popular Brent Kewley and his Coach's Award to Mike Frost mainly for his perfect attendance at training over a 7 month period. Best Clubperson went to Denise Lafaver who had her hand in everything that happened at the club in 2006, a truly much deserved winner.

Atlanta Australian Rules Football League MVP was awarded to Hugo Sach with a near perfect score of votes. See the AARFL Website www.aarfl.com for more details of Sach's win and all the AARFL MVP votes.

- Wayne Kraska
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