The 2009 Go for 2&5 WABL Awards were announced last Saturday night at the annual Basketball WA Awards Dinner held at Observation City in Scarborough. 

Sponsored by Healthway through the Go for 2&5 Message the awards are given to Male & Female Players & Coaches of the year as well as the referee of the year as determined by the WABL Commission through club nominations. 

The 2009 Go for 2&5 Referee of the Year was Roauf Isa (Perth Redbacks). Roauf has officiated in the WABL Competition for a number of years very adequately to the standard of the game to which he was rostered. 

In addition Roauf has officiated for other clubs when they are shot on referee numbers. In 2009 Raouf completed his Level Two theory and on court showed and applied good understanding of rule knowledge. 

The 2009 Go for 2&5 Female Coach of the Year is Melissa Marsh (Willetton Tigers). Melissa is a young coach and with her busy schedule including Perth Lynx pre-season training, took her coaching and mentoring role very seriously. 

Melissa is also very respected by the players as a coach and sports person while setting the standards as a coach for her players to aspire too. Her knowledge of the player's strengths is very good and Melissa is a very astute and fair coach who is very good with young players. 

The 2009 Go for 2&5 Male Coach of the year is Brad Samuelson (Rockingham Flames). Brad is very passionate and fair and has participated in the WABL Competition for a few years. In 2009 his team finished top of the table in the Southern Conference and second overall. The team also achieved touring status and will travel to the Under 14 Boys Club Championships in Dandenong from the 21 - 26 of September.

Brad attends every coaching session and guest coaching session held by Basketball WA to improve his skills. He is also an ITP network coach with a current Level Two NCAS Qualification. Brad is always very approachable and his communication and assistance to other coaches in invaluable. 

The 2009 WABL Female Player of the Year is Amy Kidner (Wanneroo Wolves). Amy is a talented young player who has played for a number of years and competes in the Under 16 WABL Age Group. Amy has a good attitude and always respects fellow players, coaches & officials. In addition to this Amy is an NITP Scholarship member and captain of the WA Under 16 Metro Women's team in 2009 while leading the competition in rebounds. 

Amy displays a great attitude and is a very polished player with very good basketball skills and sense on the court that has led to her being named the WABL MVP for the last three years.

Once again the 2009 Male Go for 2&5 Player of the Year was a tie between Tyler Hickert (Southwest Slammers) and Nikolas Iliadis (Stirling Senators).

Tyler competes in Under 18 WABL as a two year player and is an NITP Scholarship Holder. He was selected to the WA Under 18 Country team and from his performance was named in the Under 17 Australian Squad. Along with a great attitude towards his teammates and being named captain, Tyler is a talented basketballer with a strong sense of fair play. He is also involved in NITP and the Southwest Academy of Sport. 

Nikolas Iliadis competes in the Under 16 Age Group and is an NITP Scholarship holder for the past two years. Nikolas was selected in the Under 16 Metro State team and his performance also led to his selection in the Under 17 Australian Squad. He has been named the WABL MVP for the past three years and in addition has a great attitude and is a very polished player with very good basketball sense on the court. 

WABL Chairman Van Kailis also announced the 2009 Gilliam Trophy winners at the dinner with Wanneroo Basketball Association taking the award out for the third time.  

The winners have all represented their Club, State & Country with pride and have had outstanding achievements in 2009. The Western Australian Basketball League Commission and Basketball WA congratulate the winners and thank them for their contribution to the sport and the WABL Competition throughout 2009. 

Photo by Mick Cronin: 2009 WABL Award Winners with Bill Ongley (Healthway) and Laura Gillam (BWA Life Member).