She was voted the best on court in the 2019 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, and now NSW Swifts sharpshooter Sam Wallace is celebrating her second club MVP award in as many years.
The Trinidad & Tobago international was tonight named the QBE Most Valued Player for the 2019 season, which culminated with the Swifts winning the Premiership after defeating the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Brisbane on Sunday.
The award is presented to the Swift who polled the greatest number of votes from league-appointed high performance selectors over the regular season. Named after the club’s Principal Partner, QBE Insurance, the Most Valued Player Award is the club’s highest accolade.
This is the second club MVP award for Wallace, who also received the accolade in 2018.
NSW Swifts General Manager Nikki Horton said she was delighted for Wallace who shone throughout the season for the NSW team.
“To see how far Sam has come since she came here and how she’s become one of the best – if not the best – shooter in the world makes us all very, very proud,” Horton said.
“Every player that took the court for us this year has gone above and beyond and that platform has allowed players like Sam to shine in the attack end.
“Sam was so impressive in the Grand Final last weekend and I know she will look to help us push on again in 2020. She has done her family and everyone at this club proud.”
The MVP award was just one of five handed out at the club’s 2019 Gala Dinner at Doltone House, Hyde Park, in the centre of Sydney.
Australian Diamond Paige Hadley went home with two awards after being voted the Coaches’ Player of the Year and the Members’ Player of the Year.
It capped off a stellar season for the Penrith junior who also played in her second World Cup in July and regained her place in the Australian team after a number of injury-interrupted seasons.
The Players’ Player of the Year Award was shared between star defender Maddy Turner and young attacker Sophie Garbin, while long-standing club commercial executive Jen Silva was named the 2019 Club Person of the Year.
Horton congratulated all the awards winners.
“Everyone who has won tonight should take great satisfaction, especially as it’s a Premiership-winning year,” she said.
“In truth everyone at the club has put in a huge effort, not just the winners but the entire playing, coaching, support, event and admin staff.
“It was a year when everyone worked in unison and got behind our simple motto: Together We Can.”
