2026 Southern Hockey League Award Winners Celebrated

Published Sun 13 Sep 2026

2026 Southern Hockey League Award Winners Celebrated

The outstanding performers, coaches, officials and clubs from across the Southern Hockey League were recognised last night at the 2026 SHL Awards Night.

University’s Keenan Johnson was crowned the Premier League Men’s Best and Fairest, while DiamondBacks star Phillida Bridley claimed the Premier League Women’s Best and Fairest award.

Bridley also shared the Women’s Leading Goal Scorer award with North West Hobart Graduates’ Ashleigh Arthur after both players finished the season with 19 goals.

University’s Oscar Sproule claimed the Premier League Men’s Leading Goal Scorer award following a remarkable 39-goal campaign. Sproule finished 11 goals clear of teammate Ben Read, who placed second with 28.

OHA claimed both First Grade honours, with David Woolford named the Men’s Best and Fairest and Georgie Carter taking out the Women’s award.

In Second Grade, NWG’s Christopher Stops received the Men’s Best and Fairest, while DiamondBacks’ Caroline Gard claimed the Women’s honour.

OHA players secured both Third Grade awards. Gernot Roehrer of OHA Blue won the Men’s Best and Fairest, with Meg Karas recognised as the Women’s winner.

Canterbury’s Aidan Connors rounded out the awards highlighted on the night by claiming the Fourth Grade Men’s Best and Fairest.

University completed an impressive haul of major men’s awards, with Read named the Just Hockey SHL Male Coach of the Year after guiding his side to the Premier League minor premiership.

OHA’s Susan Brooks received the Just Hockey SHL Female Coach of the Year award, while Derwent’s Jessica Taylor and OHA’s David McCambridge were recognised as the SHL Community Coaches of the Year.

The 2025–26 Masters Best and Fairest recipients were also acknowledged during the evening.

University’s James Dick won the Men’s Masters Division 1 award, while Canterbury’s James Cowling took out Men’s Masters Division 2.

In the women’s competitions, DiamondBacks’ Caroline Gard won Division 1 and University’s Sarah Davis claimed Division 2. University’s Kate Lakos and DiamondBacks’ Bec Nichols shared the Division 3 honour.

Officials recognised

A number of officials were celebrated for their contribution throughout the season.

Kacee Ponting received the Peri Buckley SHL Female Umpire of the Year award, with Vincent Harman named the Peri Buckley SHL Male Umpire of the Year.

Fergus De Paoli and Annie Pestrucci were recognised as the SHL Community Umpires of the Year, while Sophie West, Sebastien Pritchard and Angus Gunn received the Pat Hood Umpire Encouragement Award.

Greer Wells was named the Technical Official of the Year, with Liz May and Jenny Geeves sharing the Officiating Award.

Derwent’s Jane Ansell was presented with the Dean Williams Award.

Junior Umpire Academy certificates were also presented to Nathan Kunn, Sophie Halliday, Fred Ansell, Austin Thomson, Beatrice Ansell, Lachie Rafferty, Evie Tucker, Tai Tran-Lau, Grace Fu, James McCambridge, Violet MacGregor and Ellie Sproule.

Club awards

University narrowly claimed the Play the Whistle Award after recording 213.5 points, finishing just half a point ahead of OHA and NWG.

University also received the Ron Mills Trophy, while DiamondBacks were awarded the Lord Mayor’s Trophy.

Congratulations to all the award recipients and thank you to every player, coach, official and volunteer who contributed to another successful Southern Hockey League season.

Full list of 2026 SHL award winners

Best and Fairest

Premier League Men: Keenan Johnston (University)
Premier League Women: Phillida Bridley (DiamondBacks)
First Grade Men: David Woolford (OHA)
First Grade Women: Georgie Carter (OHA)
Second Grade Men: Christopher Stops (NWG)
Second Grade Women: Caroline Gard (DiamondBacks)
Third Grade Men: Gernot Roehrer (OHA Blue)
Third Grade Women: Meg Karas (OHA)
Fourth Grade Men: Aidan Connors (Canterbury)
Fourth Grade Women: Robyn McCambridge (OHA)
Fifth Grade Men: Rod Malcomson (Derwent)

Leading goal scorers

Premier League Men: Oscar Sproule (University) — 39 goals
Premier League Women: Ashleigh Arthur (NWG) and Phillida Bridley (DiamondBacks) — 19 goals

Coaching awards

Just Hockey SHL Female Coach of the Year: Susan Brooks (OHA)
Just Hockey SHL Male Coach of the Year: Ben Read (University)
SHL Community Coaches of the Year: Jessica Taylor (Derwent) and David McCambridge (OHA)

Officiating awards

Peri Buckley SHL Female Umpire of the Year: Kacee Ponting
Peri Buckley SHL Male Umpire of the Year: Vincent Harman
SHL Community Umpires of the Year: Fergus De Paoli and Annie Pestrucci
Pat Hood Umpire Encouragement Award: Sophie West, Sebastien Pritchard and Angus Gunn
Technical Official of the Year: Greer Wells
Officiating Award: Liz May and Jenny Geeves

Other awards

Dean Williams Award: Jane Ansell (Derwent)
Play the Whistle Award: University
Ron Mills Trophy: University
Lord Mayor’s Trophy: DiamondBacks

2025–26 Masters Best and Fairest

Men’s Masters Division 1: James Dick (University)
Men’s Masters Division 2: James Cowling (Canterbury)
Women’s Masters Division 1: Caroline Gard (DiamondBacks)
Women’s Masters Division 2: Sarah Davis (University)
Women’s Masters Division 3: Kate Lakos (University) and Bec Nichols (DiamondBacks)

Junior Umpire Academy certificate recipients