Each year we recognise significant efforts made in a variety of ways:
The John O’Toole Award – John was a parent, coach, supporter and generally helped with the running of Friday night. he was always available to provide guidance to players, parents and supporters and undertook every task with a smile and in a calm and happy manner. This award was introduced following John’s unexpected departure, so that we can always remember the attitude and desire to help that he brought with him on Friday night. Recipients of this award are recognised for their selfless contributions made to assisting with the success of Friday night basketball:
2006 – Avis Meddings
2007 – Jenny Powell
2008 – Sally Clayton
2009 – Craig Miles
2010 – Michael Healey
2011 – Rob Klemm
2012 – Marianne Steuart
2013 – Bruce Tomkins
2014 – not awarded
2015 – Claudia Godtner
2016 – Karren Hansen
2017 – Peter Shepherd
2018 – Jim Poulos
2019 – Hamish Patterson
2020/2021 – not awarded due to COVID
2022 – Alex Giacon
2023 – Joel Paull
2024 – Mike & Lorraine Englefield
The Graeme Gooding MVP Award (Victorian Men’s Championship Grand Final Winter) – Graeme started coming to Friday night basketball with his son, Chris. Graeme was always a passionate supporter of his son and the team. Graeme joined a small group of interested parents in establishing a fund raising committee and then later became an inaugural member of the Power Assist Board, taking up the important position of Board Secretary. Graeme was first and foremost a parent and ardent supporter of his son’s basketball (every Friday night and when representing Vic Metro at the Australian National Championships for many years). We very much miss Graeme and are forever grateful for the contribution he chose to make to the success of what we do. The winners of this award are:
2012 – Jake Nitas (Roar)
2013 – Nate Lounh (Doncaster)
2014 – Frazer Dawber (Roar)
2015 – Frazer Dawber (Roar)
2016 – Nate Lounh (Doncaster)
2017 – Jake NItas (Roar)
2018 – Jake Nitas (Roar)
2019 – Max McGuire (Roar)
2020/2021 – not awarded due to COVID
2022 – David Pain (Rogue Flare)
2023 – Max McGuire (Roar)
2024 – Jake Nitas (Roar)
The Avis Meddings MVP Award (Victorian Women’s Championship Grand Final Winter) – Avis was one of the first coaches to help when this competition started, getting involved when she was Deputy Principal at the Ashwood Special School. She encouraged many, many players to come and play basketball, to learn how to score, to coach and to referee. Avis has always been a passionate supporter of all players but in particular those who don’t have much other support. She has always been amazingly generous with her love, patience, encouragement, time, understanding, care and thoughtfulness. Avis made a difference every single week that she attended (over 1,000 nights of basketball) often staying for many games to help, encourage or just watch her players. The winners of this award are:
2014 – Monica Ward (Rebels)
2015 – Monica Ward (Avengers)
2016 – Sam Williver (Gs Unit)
2017 – Zarah Smith (Avengers)
2018 – Riki Fichtl (Avengers)
2019 – Maggie Murray (Avengers)
2020/2021 – not awarded due to COVID
2022 – not awarded
2023 – Tara Durkin (Power, Raiders)
2024 – Keely-Shaye Sanders (Rapellas)
The David McFarlane Award (Division 2) – David became involved with Friday Night basketball as a Dad, bringing his son Ash. He quickly took on a coaching role. David was a fierce competitor as a coach, but always with the best interests of Ash and his team mates at heart. David wanted to do more. He worked with the organisers to establish a fund raising group and then the creation of Power Assist. David’s leadership qualities made him an excellent candidate for the role of Chairman, a position he held for 15 years. During this time the stability and resilience of the organisation behind the basketball games has grown from a weekly proposition to a fully financed, professionally run, not-for-profit, enduring business with great governance and a secure future. David has been instrumental in building this, leading and inspiring the Board members, tackling the hard issues, always with a sense of purpose, fairness and desire to make a difference to the lives of so many. David was particularly proud of starting the second stadium in 2009 (at MLC), hosting the Division 2 competition. David helped to make all our lives better, because he cared, he laughed and he loved. We will all be forever grateful for this man and everything he has given to us, for sharing his family, his home, his vision, his passion, his common sense, and above all his friendship. The inaugural winner of this award is:
2018 – Matt Gibson (Leppards)
2019 – Joel Paull (Wild Dogs)
2020/2021 – not awarded due to COVID
2022 – Campbell Miller (Razors)
2023 – Jett Bennett (Rapellas)
2024 – James Collier (Northern Magic)
In 2022 we introduced two new awards for Division 3 and Division 4:
The Michael Healy Award (Division 3) – Michael began playing basketball at the very beginning of this competition in 1987. Over the 35 years he has played in many teams, in the Championship Men’s division, Division 2 and now has settled into a key role in Division 3. Michael has always been a player who is at the core of his team, whether that be organising players, washing uniforms or the many other tasks he performs to help his team mates. Michael has always been a tough player and probably has more fouls against his name than points but he is also a fair player and always abides by the rules. This award, in Michael Healy’s honour, reflects the recipients wonderful and continued contribution to our competition and the culture of Friday Night basketball, and their involvement with Division 3.
2022 – Michael Healy (Blazing Stars)
2023 – Tim Lusted (Thunder)
2024 – Matthew Anticaglia (Boomerangs)
The Vern Tessier Award (Division 4) – Vern co-foundered our basketball competition in 1987 and is the only volunteer that has been involved for our entire history. He has, over the years, performed every role that is needed for the success we enjoy. From Board member to uniform washer, from mentor to scorer, from referee to BBQ cooker – Vern has always done whatever is required to ensure this community have the opportunity to play and enjoy basketball. This commitment, to the enjoyment and development of others, underpins this award for Division 4. We believe that these characteristics are reflected in the recipient, the way they play the game, the way they always turn up, played fair, and are a wonderful sportman. This award, in Vern Tessier’s honour, reflects a wonderful and continued contribution to our competition and the culture of Friday Night basketball, and their involvement with Division 4.
2022 – Anthony Reid (Redbacks)
2023 – Prairie Maughan (player, coach Ashwood Champs)
2024 – Luke Manning (Redbacks)
Announced at our 2018 Christmas Party and Presentation Night – Congratulations to our new Lifetime Achievement Award winners:
- 30+ years – Michael Healy – been playing right from the start
- 30+ years – Vern Tessier (founder), David Straughair (Board Member and Treasurer) and Maurice Brodie (Board Member)
- 25+ years – from the Astronauts team – Emeil Rachi, Veronica Melicevic, Anthony Reid and David Frith
- 25+ years – from the Hoovers – Marcel Reyes, Chris Goodwin and Michael Batsoukas
- 25+ years – Craig Miles (Div 2 Wild Dogs and Referee), Jim Poulos (Dukes), Peter Karidis (Doncaster)
In 2019 we announced a few more – but still looking for people to self nominate by sending your playing/coaching/volunteering details/dates to admin@powerassist.org.au
- 20+ years – Matt Gibson (Leppards), Chris Spittel (Leppards), Daniel Hartley (Help Mates)
- 20+ years – Peter Duncan (referee, Board Member, administrator), Sally Duncan (door person, Board member – Director Administration, Chair (2018-), sometimes referee)
In 2024 we caught up with the last 5 years. This is a long list but we are very proud and thankful for the commitment of all of these people. You make our competition amazing!!
- 25+ years – Peter Duncan (referee, Board Member, administrator), Sally Duncan (door person, Board member – Director Administration, Chair (2018-), sometimes referee), players – Matt Gibson, Gerrard Greely, Daniel Hartley, Kenny Lu, Luke Manning, Prairie Maughan, Chris Spittel
- 20+ years – Joel Paull (Coach), Ian Tayor (Ref), players – Erin Betley, Mandy Carrick, Lee Carter, Karren Hanson, Soraen Letchumanan, Ash May, Andrew Negrelli, James Tabacco, Jason Vagg
- 15+ years – Paul Nitas (Coach, Director), John Rishworth (Coach), players – Finn Connor, Corey Cornell, Frazer Dawber, Riki Fichtl, Josh Finlay, Angus Hale, Johnathan Kha, Matt Kirk, Alex Kolokithas, Max McGuire, Jake Nitas, Katie Rishworth, Joel Sharp, Brendan Taylor, Marcel Vermulst
- 10+ years – Claudia Godtner (door), Kathleen McNamee (Board Secretary, door), Sharon O’Connor (coach), Hamish Patterson (coach), players – Nick Apenianski, William Bailey, James Bryden, Eleni Chrisant, Aaron Iacobucci, Matt Iozzi, Jack Lew-Kee, Tim Lusted, Brad Melenhorst, Luke Nicholls, Kevin Pang, Evie Patterson, Thomas Renshaw, Jacinta Rome, Matthew Sutton, Sven Tan, Kallen Warren, Scott Winfield
- 5+ years (Volunteers) – Lorraine Englefield, Mike Englefield, Wolfgang Godtner (all door people), Yvette Horne (ref), Robyn Nichols (team manager), David Sharp (coach), Alex Simmos (coach)