Bill West
From a netball perspective, the Riddell League’s 2022 presentation night on Friday was an unforgettable experience for the Woodend-Hesket club.
In her first season with the club, immaculate and unflappable defender Tayissa (Ty) Coppinger captured the coverted Ryan Medal, as well as being Player of the Year, as well as being one of three Hawks selected in the league’s Team of the Year.
“Ty has made a great contribution to our club, both on and off the court, ” proclaimed Hawks’ netball director and club person of the year Kellie Duff.
Coppinger received the medal from Jannine Ryan, and responded eloquently, stating she has thoroughly enjoyed her season with the Hawks, despite going down to Diggers Rest in the A-grade grand final.
Several weeks ago Woodend-Hesket coach and last season’s Ryan Medal winner, Meg Grabac, sounded confident in predicting Coppinger was the likely medallist. This was before Coppinger won the Hawks’ club award with 33 votes to spare!
Other keen judges also had Coppinger pencilled in as a very strong medal prospect. Grbac was elated to see her co-defender receive the medal.
Outstanding games late in the season propelled her to the lead in what had been a close count well into the home and away rounds, and celebrations broke out in Hawks’ ranks when Coppinger opened up an unbeatable lead when she reached 21 votes.
Karina Martin (Wallan) finished runner-up with 19 votes, edging out Macedon’s quality defender Katie Clarke on 18.
Coppinger, Grbac and young gun Sarah Duff gave the Hawks a trifecta in the Team of the Year.
Diggers Rest A-grade premiership coach Pam Strong was installed as Coach of the Year.
Back in 2018, Coppinger played with Macedon and also earned a spot in the Team of the Year.
A long time player at the top level in the division one and championship division in Melbourne, Coppinger has notched up over 200 games with the strong North East Blaze Netball Club; an inaugural premiership in the championship division in 2017 is one of her playing highlights.
Football coach
Woodend-Hesket may not have ended up with any players in the RDFNL’s football Team of the Year, but Hawks’ coach Josh Pound is the 2022 Coach of the Year.
The Hawks finished sixth on the ladder, missing a finals spot by half a game, with Pound out to improve on that next season.
Other Hawks to receive awards were Max Ambler (Reserves top goalkicker), and Marcus Stapleton (co-top defender).
Wallan finished up as Club of the Year on 1054points, ahead of Diggers Rest 1053 and Woodend-Hesket 971.
