Tassie pair recognised

CALLAN PASKE | October 13, 2010 12.01am

TWO Tasmanians were recognised at the recent Football Federation Australia Awards as leaders in the nation's footballing fraternity.

The Australian Football Awards incorporate the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and Football Media Association of Australia (FMA) awards and, in their second consecutive year, are a highly anticipated fixture on the national football calendar.

Patrick Galloway and Michelle Castle were both presented with national awards for their work in Tasmania.

Galloway was a regular presence in Southern Premier League fixtures this year and he was recognised as 2010 Referee of the Year, an award he said he was honoured to receive.

"I got nominated a while ago and I found out about a month before the awards and was really flattered to be recognised amongst a quality field of nominees," Galloway said.

"To be nominated from Tasmania alone was special but to win nationally against a referee from every federation was really flattering."

Galloway hopes to be involved in more Premier League games in the south of the state next year with aspirations to step up to officiate more representative games in the state.

Castle was awarded the 2010 Women's Coach of the Year, citing her passion for junior development as a major factor in her devotion to the game and development.

"I really didn't expect to win at all but then when I was on a table up the front I had a little inkling and started to worry about maybe having to make a speech," Castle said.

"I love working with kids and having the chance to play a part in their development, not just on the field but off it as well.

"I was really excited to win the award and a little bit embarrassed as I think I am far from the best amateur coach in the country.

"But it is nice to be recognised and maybe with that on the resume I can potentially make a living out of coaching somewhere down the track, which is the goal I guess."
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/10/13/178911_soccer.html