Rising star Te Paea Selby-Rickit claimed the major prize at the Otago Netball awards last night.
After such a stellar year for the province, there was plenty of competition for the awards.
Otago captain and newly named Silver Fern Shannon Francois was superb in the midcourt. Defenders Demelza McCloud and Storm Purvis created plenty of turnover ball, and centre Gina Crampton is another player who is rated highly.
But despite a plethora of outstanding candidates, Selby-Rickit was the obvious choice for Otago player of the year.
She provided sterling service in the shooting circle for both the Otago and Otago under-21 team.
The Steel and New Zealand under-21 shooter produced a stunning display in the national championship final, landing 42 of her 44 attempts to help her side seal a 59-57 win against Waikato in Tauranga last week.
In July, she helped the Otago under-21 team defend its national title, popping in a goal in the dying moments of the match to seal a 49-48 win against Auckland Waitakere.
Otago coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz firmly believes, in time, Selby-Rickit will make the step up to international netball.
"She has the goods to go all the way," Tasi Cordtz said.
"She has matured so much in the last couple of years. To be 20 and playing the way she is at national level already is remarkable.
"She has done her time on the sideline with the Steel and next year, I'm sure she will get more court time. And she is training much better and is just the full package, really."
Tasi-Cordtz, who led Otago to its first national title in 14 years, had to share the coach of the year award with Otago under-21 coach Lauren Piebenga, who also has an impressive coaching resume having led the under-21 side to back-to-back titles.
Crampton was named the Otago under-21 and Lois Muir Challenge team MVP, and Ngareka Bensemann picked up the MVP for the Otago under-19 team.
Otago netball
Awards
Player of the year: Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Coach of the year: Otago coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz and under-21 coach Lauren Piebenga
Otago MVP: Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Lois Muir Challenge team MVP: Gina Crampton
Otago under-21 MVP: Gina Crampton
Otago under-19 MVP: Ngareka Bensemann
