Football Victoria’s top performers from season 2023 were recognised at the NPL Gold Medal Night, proudly presented by Senol. The event took place at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park with over 700 people in attendance.
Football Victoria’s showpiece event was hosted by Channel 7’s David Basheer and Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight.
South Melbourne defender Jake Marshall claimed the 2023 NPLM Gold Medal on 25 votes, while Boroondara goal-scorer Kurea Okino took home the NPLW Gold Medal, finishing one vote ahead of Alamein’s Sidney Allen on 27 votes.
Jake Marshall had an outstanding season in the heart of the defence for South Melbourne, guiding his side to the best defensive record in the league.
Kurea Okino’s was rewarded for her standout first season in the NPLW with an A-League contract with Melbourne Victory.
The Japanese import also claimed the Golden Boot, scoring 31 goals for the season, leading her side to a Semi-Final appearance after being promoted from the VPLW in 2022.
The full list of awards is below, congratulations to all the night's winners!
NPLM
Gold Medal: Jake Marshall (South Melbourne)
Players' Player: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic)
Golden Boot: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Javier Lopez (South Melbourne)
Coach of the Year: Ben Cahn (Melbourne Knights), Zoran Markovski (Avondale)
Goal of the Year: Kristian Bombaci (Port Melbourne)
NPLM Referee of the Year: Adam Bavcar
NPLW
Gold Medal: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles)
Players' Player: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles)
Golden Boot: Kurea Okinio (Boroondara Eagles)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Natalie Picak (Calder United)
Coach of the Year: Loui Spiridis (Bayside United)
Goal of the Year: Margot Robinne (Boroondara Eagles)
NPLW Referee of the Year: Caitlin Williams
NPL2
Best and Fairest: Stephen Lawless (Werribee City)
Players' Player: Luke Lofts (Bulleen Lions)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Wonsuk Choi (Bulleen Lions)
Coach of the Year: George Karkaletsis (Manningham United Blues)
Golden Boot: Luke Lofts (Bulleen Lions)
NPL3
Best and Fairest: Redouane Sarakh (North Sunshine Eagles)
Players' Player: Joshua Whiteley (Caroline Springs George Cross)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Christian Siciliano (Melbourne Victory)
Coach of the Year: Eric Vassiliadis (Caroline Springs George Cross)
Golden Boot: Russell Currie (Goulburn Valley Suns), Redouane Sarakh (North Sunshine Eagles), Joshua Whiteley (Caroline Springs George Cross)
Media Awards
Club Media Award: South Melbourne FC
Bill Fleming Media Award: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic)
NPLW Media Player of the Year: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles)
Les Shorrock Best Football Image Award: Rob Cruse, Martin Petrusevski