Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography

Brisbane Roar W-League star Gabe Marzano has added to an outstanding season after being confirmed as the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Women’s Most Valuable Player.

Marzano won the award for her outstanding performances this year for Premiership and Grand Final winners The Gap FC Women.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder made a total of 20 appearances for the club in 2015 and delivered an impressive 16 goals.

Her performances saw the former Perth Glory Women’s player recruited to Brisbane Roar’s Westfield W-League team for the current campaign - scoring her first goal for the club last weekend against Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Most Valuable Player award was determined by a weighted 3-2-1 voting system, submitted by coaches of the eleven PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Senior Women’s clubs.

A trio of Palm Beach SC players were acknowledged for their stand-out performances this season in the remaining three award categories.

Kiri Dale was recognised as the Women’s Young Player of the Year after accumulating the most MVP points by a player under 20 years of age through the season.

Dale made 19 appearances for Sharks and scored twice prior to accepting an opportunity in the United States at Iona College in New York.

Her teammate Deeanna Thompson secured the Women’s Golden Boot award for her outstanding return of 32 goals in 19 regular season appearances.

Sharks goalkeeper Bianca Warrener was also recognised with the Women’s Safe Hands Award for the most clean-sheets through the home-and-way campaign - keeping her opponents scoreless on eight occasions.

The awards winners will be guests at this Saturday’s Hyundai A-League match between Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium, where they will receive their awards and also be presented to the crowd prior to kick-off.

Football Queensland Chief Operating Officer Graham Lee congratulated the award winners on their achievements this season.

“These honours are a just reward for a group of greatly talented players who truly excelled in the first season of NPL Queensland senior women’s competition,” Mr Lee said.

“They deserve credit for their dedication to their clubs in addition to their performances and I sincerely hope their future football journey will be equally rewarding,” Mr Lee concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland 2015 Senior Women’s Award Winners

Most Valuable Player
Gabe Marzano (The Gap FC)
Regular Season Appearances: 18
Regular Season Goals: 14
Finals Series Appearances: 2
Finals Series Goals: 2

Young Player of the Year
Kiri Dale (Palm Beach SC)
Regular Season Appearances: 18
Regular Season Goals: 2

Safe Hands Award
Bianca Warrener (Palm Beach SC)
Regular Season Appearances: 20
Regular Season Clean Sheets: 8
Finals Series Appearances: 3
Finals Series Clean Sheets: 0

Golden Boot
Deeanna Thompson (Palm Beach SC)
Regular Season Appearances: 19
Regular Season Goals: 32
Finals Series Appearances: 3
Finals Series Goals: 4