Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket’s Tayissa Coppinger is the Riddell District Netball League’s best player after being crowned the Ryan Medallist on Friday night.
The medal, which is for the best player voted by the umpires in the A-grade competition, was fought out by the defenders.
Coppinger won on 23 votes, four clear on Wallan’s Karina Martin with Macedon’s Katie Clarke a further vote back.
The top five poll getters were defenders.
Coppinger said she was shocked after it was announced she had won the medal. She had already won the player of the year, which is voted by the coaches.
“It was surprising but good,” she said. “People were saying that I would be up there, but I didn’t know.
“There were quite a few Woodend people at the presentation night which was good. I had a lot of emotions.
For Coppinger it was her first season at the Hawks. She had played with Macedon a couple of seasons ago.
She said for her this season was just about going out and having fun on the court.
“I thought I had a pretty good season,” she said.
“I was just really having fun playing alongside Meg [Grbac]. Every game was fun and we were always laughing.
“Having all those girls around me made it easy.”
Coppinger is the second Hawk to win the Ryan Medal, with Grbac winning it last season.
The two defenders were named in the team of the year, as was teammate Sarah Duff.
It’s the first time the Hawks have had that many players named in the team of the year.
Coppinger was full of praise for the club.
“Woodend is a really good club,” she said.
“Not just the girls in the side, but the whole program, is a great bunch of people.
“The club is so supportive of everyone and has been really welcoming.”
The awards cap off a big season for the Hawks, with their A-grade side playing in their first finals series and a grand final.
While they didn’t come away with the premiership, Coppinger said they were so proud of what they did.
“To even make the grand final was a massive achievement,” she said.
“It will make us bigger and stronger next season and make us even hungrier.
“The club is super proud and we’re grateful for the support.”
Coppinger’s role with the Hawks came as she combined playing in the Victorian Netball League.
While it’s a lot of work, Coppinger said the friendships and the social side made it worth it.
Joining the three Hawks in the team of the year is Macedon duo Katie Clarke and Chloe Williams, Diggers Rest’s Alexandra Ball, Anica Scherer and Shelby strong, Wallan’s Sidonie Moore and Riddell’s Ellen Close.
Diggers Rest premiership coach Pam Strong was named coach of the team of the year.
The Burras Brooke Seidel won the B-grade best and fairest, Western Rams Percilla Hetaraka Kelly won the C-grade best and fairest, while Eliza Butterworth Gonebale won the under-19 best and fairest.
Butterworth Gonebale also won the rising star award.
