NLSA Announces 2024 Awards Recipients

For immediate release (6 January 2025) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association is pleased to announce its 2024 annual award winners.  The winners will be formally recognized this spring during the Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony.    

The awards recipients are as follows:

George Innes Award (Youth Male player of the Year)

Aubrey Nunes, St. John’s BU17 PYL

Aubrey Nunes captained the St. John’s BU17 team to an undefeated regular season, where the team had the most prolific scoring record as well as the stingiest defense. Nunes was a consistent scoring threat throughout the season, tying for the most goals scored during the regular season.  He was later named PYL U17 MVP Playoffs and St. John’s player of the year for the boys U17 PYL team.

Nunes’ abilities were also recognized by intermediate and senior division teams - he was a regular starter for NLCup second place finishers 1949FC and suited up for Challenge Cup Champions Holy Cross.


Judi Kelloway Award (Youth Female Player of the Year)

Sarah Baker, St. John’s U17 PYL

A stalwart in the back line, Sarah Baker was the team's MVP for the 2024 season, helping the St. John's GU17 team to an undefeated PYL season and another provincial championship. Sarah went on to participate in the Toyota National Championships in Sydney, NS.  She has since signed with AUS champion Cape Breton Capers for the 2025 school year.

Brian Murphy Award (Senior Male Player of the Year)

Colin Connors Holy Cross Kirby Group

Colin was a dominant force throughout the 2024 Challenge Cup season, finishing the year as a member of the all-star team, the regular season top scorer, and MVP regular season.  Colin’s speed, game awareness and deft touch made him both a scoring threat and a passing threat, as he worked with teammates to break down opposing defenses, looking for ways to find the net himself, or to set someone else up for a goal.  His strong play continued into the fall varsity season where he was named a second team AUS all-star with the Memorial University Seahawks.

Laura Breen Award (Senior Female Player of the Year)

Hannah Neville, Feildians Jubilee

Hannah Neville was a key player in the Feildians’ run for the 2024 Jubilee trophy, finishing the season as a member of the all-star team, MVP regular season and Top Scorer regular season (22 goals).  Her persistent, heads-up play was a key feature of her tenacious playing style and contributed to a strong finish for the team.

Hannah continued to elevate her standard of play as she suited up for Nipissing University’s (NU) varsity soccer program in North Bay, Ontario, where she received both academic and athletic scholarships.  NU’s strong showing at the Ontario University Athletics Association (OUA) championships helped secure a spot at the U SPORTS nationals. Hannah was later named OUA Rookie of the Year and was named to the U SPORTS All Rookie Team for 2024.

Doug Sweetapple Award (Coach of the Year)

Paul Nunes, St. John’s BU17 PYL

Paul’s technical and player-centric approach was central to developing and leading this group of players over the last number of years.  His focus on developing technical skills—particularly in passing and possession—was central to his tactical approach. This strategy helped him build an exceptional BU17 PYL team that became a joy to watch, earning praise from opposing teams.  

Paul structured the team around the unique strengths of each player, fostering an environment where they were inspired to confidently execute his tactical plan. His commitment to fairness was evident, as every player saw at least one half of playing time in every regular-season match. Paul’s ability to transform a talented group of athletes into a cohesive, high-performing team was a testament to his dedication. His commitment to each player's growth, both individually and as part of the team, led to an undefeated regular season, with an outstanding record of 67 goals scored and just 3 conceded.

Thanks to Paul’s passion, leadership, and expert knowledge, the players not only excelled on the field but were also inspired to continue playing at a high level. All but one of the graduating players have decided to continue their soccer journeys in the Challenge Cup in 2025.

Ben Lake Award (Executive of the Year)

Calvin Randell, CBS Soccer

Calvin Randell has been a volunteer member of the CBS Soccer Board of Directors since 2003. Calvin has served as either President or Treasurer for most of those years. In 2024 he once again served the club in the position as Treasurer.

Since COVID, the soccer business has been quite fluid, and normalcy has been replaced with uncertainty. This has made the Treasurer's job more challenging than in the past. Calvin has been a steady hand at the wheel and has spent countless hours at the Board table, helping guide the club through these difficult times to ensure financial stability.

Youth Team of the year

Paradise GU15 PYL

The Paradise GU15 team emerged out of a very competitive league to capture their first ever provincial GU15 PYL title in 2024.  The PSC GU15 team showcased remarkable performance this season, playing 15 regular-season games and finishing with an 11-4 record, securing second place overall in the standings. Their efforts on the field were further highlighted by a dominant goal difference of +33 throughout the Premier League season.

In the semi-finals, PSC faced off against Mount Pearl in a hard-fought match, clinching a 2-1 victory to earn their spot in the championship game. The final against St. John's proved to be a nail-biter, but the team demonstrated their resilience and skill, emerging victorious with a narrow 1-0 win to claim the title.

The team later represented the province at the Toyota National Championships in Quinte West, Ontario where they finished seventh overall. 

Angus Barrett Award (Senior Team of the Year)

Holy Cross Nutra Holdings Jubilee Trophy

Holy Cross Nutra Holdings continued to set the gold standard for senior women’s soccer in 2024, finishing first in the regular season and capturing their ninth straight provincial title. The team’s efforts at a third national title fell short in the playoff match that went to penalty kicks, sending the defending champions to the bronze medal game.  They ultimately finished fourth at the tournament, and will refocus for 2025, in preparation for an NL-hosted Jubilee Trophy and Challenge Cup nationals.

Doug Redmond Award (Volunteer of the Year)

Tracey Carroll, CBS Soccer

Tracey Carroll is the epitome of volunteerism at CBS Soccer.  In addition to her hours organizing and assisting with managing the CBS Strikers FC Challenge Cup team, Tracey also could be seen many days in the canteen at Topsail Turf, where she coordinated a group of parents to ensure the canteen was open and the revenue earned shared among the parents volunteered to assist.

Tracey also stepped up to volunteer in the coordination and overall success of the CBS Winterfest Soccerfest Indoor Tournament which saw teams from across the Avalon participate in the annual event.
If there's a soccer job that needs to be done Tracey has always, year after year, stepped up to ensure its success.

Youth Female Official

Shawna-Marie Stuckless

Shawna Marie has been an excellent addition to the Western Newfoundland soccer community. At only 18 years old she eagerly takes on any reffing assignment that comes her way. She often steps up to fill in the gaps when we are short on referees as well. Always dependable and reliable, she truly loves reffing. Don't be fooled by her 5ft stature as she shows great confidence in her calls and stands by her decisions even when in the middle of a senior men’s game. Shawna-Marie was along the young officials who refereed at the Atlantic Championships in Gander this summer and is looking forward to additional opportunities for further mentorship to hone her officiating skills.

Youth Male Official

Ian Wall

Ian Wall continued to hone his skills as a young official, working the centers and lines for many youth games during the 2024 season.  As he continues to develop and gain confidence, he is more frequently stepping in as an assistant referee at the Challenge Cup level.

Ross Arlett Award (Senior Official of the Year)

John Churchill

John Churchill was a steady influence on the pitch all season, officiating more Challenge Cup games than any other referee, including serving as Head Referee for the Challenge Cup final. He was also actively involved in officiating at Jubilee and MUN.  In addition to mentoring younger officials during regular games, during the 2024 season, John also started instructing and was involved in several entry level and small-sided clinics.