Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Patrick Kearney/Chris Simpson

Gold Coast City's Ben Litfin & Olympic FC's Kirsten Jamieson both claimed two major awards in recognition of their outstanding PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues seasons.

Nine stand-out performers from the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season have been recognised with the competition’s individual awards.

The annual awards have been expanded to eleven categories for the competition’s fourth season, recognising not only stand-out players but also coaches and the competition’s top referee.

Gold Coast City FC attacking midfielder Ben Litfin, who recently signed with Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix, claimed the major men’s honour as the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Most Valuable Player.

The 21-year-old was recognised with the Golden Boot award after finding the back of the net 19 times during the regular season.

Kirsten Jamieson of Olympic FC also claimed double honours the PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot quinella in the women’s competition.

The 27-year-old’s stunning return of 61 goals in her maiden season in the second tier establishing a new competition record.

Jamieson was pushed all the way in the MVP voting by Sunshine Coast FC’s star striker Samara Christmas, who wraps up the Women’s Young Player of the Year award.

In the men’s competition, Brisbane Roar Youth striker Nicholas D’Agostino secured his second straight Young Player of the Year award with his highly influential performances – the 18-year-old becoming the first back-to-back individual award winner in the four year competition’s history.

Brisbane Strikers’ Sebastian Usai took out the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Safe Hands Award as the competition’s stand-out goalkeeper with the most clean sheets to his credit throughout the season.

Usai finished the season level with FNQ Heat’s Kevin Ward on 7 clean sheets, however, edged out his rival by playing eight less matches to reach the mark.

Eastern Suburbs FC goalkeeper Anastasia Mavrick won the honour in the women’s competition with an outstanding return of 13 clean sheets in 19 games, helping her side reach the Semi-Finals for a second straight season.

On the sidelines, Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A'herne-Evans is recognised as the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Coach of the Year after guiding his side to their first title since the competition's formation.

The Gap FC coach Rob Askew is the PlayStation 4 NPL Women's Coach of the Year after a record-breaking season at the helm of the Premiers-Champions - guiding them to an unbeaten season and back-to-back Grand Final wins.

Also recognised was Des Miles Referee of the Year Adam Kersey, who controlled the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final between FNQ Heat and Redlands and earned a call-up to officiate the Westfield FFA Cup match between Redlands and Adelaide United.

The award recipients will be presented with their trophies at Suncorp Stadium on December 11 during the Brisbane Roar's Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double-header.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland Award Winners

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Most Valuable Player – Ben Litfin (Gold Coast City FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Most Valuable Player – Kirsten Jamieson (Olympic FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Young Player of the Year – Nicholas D’Agostino (Brisbane Roar FC Youth)

PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Young Player of the Year – Samara Christmas (Sunshine Coast FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot – Ben Litfin (Gold Coast City FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Golden Boot – Kirsten Jamieson (Olympic FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Safe Hands Award – Sebastian Usai (Brisbane Strikers FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Safe Hands Award – Anastasia Mavrick (Eastern Suburbs FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Coach of the Year – Kevin A’herne-Evans (Brisbane Strikers FC)

PlayStation 4 NPL Women’s Queensland Coach of the Year – Rob Askew (The Gap FC)

Des Miles Referee of the Year – Adam Kersey