Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero has capped off a stellar Hyundai A-League debut season by claiming the 2012/13 Sydney FC Player of the Year award in front of 750 guests at Doltone House tonight.
Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero has capped off a stellar Hyundai A-League debut season by claiming the 2012/13 Sydney FC Player of the Year award in front of 750 guests at Doltone House tonight.
Del Piero won the evening-s top award, as well as the Sydney FC Members Award and the 2012/13 Golden Boot. It was a fitting end to his first Sydney FC campaign that saw the superstar elevate the A-League to new heights across the board.
The marquee striker played a major role in increasing attendances, television audiences and media interest across the entire Hyundai with Sydney FC averaging 18,637 fans at home matches as well as leading the A-League in TV figures and media exposure for sponsors.
On the field Del Piero was dominant, notching 14 goals and five assists, thrilling crowds with not just his presence but his performances on the pitch.
Del Piero polled 132 votes to nudge out Rhyan Grant (119) while Terry Antonis (67), Vedran Janjetovic (63) and Yairo Yau (55) rounded out the top five.
While Del Piero rightfully grabbed the plaudits, Grant was also rewarded for a tremendous breakout season by claiming the Sydney FC A-League Players- Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old played 25 games, claiming two goals and two assists, showing his value to the Sydney FC team while playing as a right back, left back, central defender, right midfielder and central midfielder.
His deeds saw him finish a very close second to Del Piero in the main award but they did not go un-noticed by his team mates, who voted him the most valuable player of the 2012/13 season.
Peter Triantis took out the Youth League Players- Player of the Year award for his performances in the youth team before his elevation to the A-League side where he made 14 appearances in the top grade, earning an A-League contract for his efforts.
Teresa Polias won back-to-back W-League awards after she took out the 2012/13 Sydney FC Women-s League Players- Player of the Year as the Sky Blues celebrated a grand final win over the Melbourne Victory.
The contribution of W-League coach Alen Stajcic was also recognised as he was named the recipient of the Sydney FC Chairman-s Award for 2012/13 by Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow.
As well as acknowledging the achievements of the Sydney FC A-League, W-League and National Youth League teams, guests were treated to an energetic performance by Channel 9-s Australia-s Got Talent judge Timomatic.
Sydney FC 2012/13 Awards
Nick Scali Sydney FC Player of the Year: Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero
Westmead Hospital Florist Sydney FC A-League Players- Player of the Year: Rhyan Grant
JB Metropolitan Distributors Sydney FC Women-s League Players- Player of the Year: Teresa Polias
Sports Connect Sydney FC Youth League Players- Player of the Year: Peter Triantis
Programmed Sydney FC Golden Boot: Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero
Divergence Group Sydney FC Chairman-s Award: Alen Stajcic
Retailink Sydney FC Members Award: Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero
