St Mary’s had plenty to celebrate across the 2026 NFNL Presentation Nights, with Burra players featuring prominently in the league Best & Fairest and Coaches MVP counts, alongside recognition for our trainers and volunteers.
Across football and netball, the club celebrated four major wins, as well as a host of top-five finishes in another fantastic showing from our players and people.
Senior Netball
It was a particularly strong result in Division 5, with three St Mary’s players finishing inside the top five.
Clare Nicholls capped off an outstanding season by taking out the Division 5 Best & Fairest with 22 votes. She was joined at by team mates Niamh Pilatti, who finished 4th with 11 votes, and Matilda Blakey, who finished 5th with 10 votes.
In Division 6, Tahlia Ryan finished 3rd with 13 votes, while Sarah Williams secured 2nd place in Division 9 with 16 votes.
Olive Birrell also earned a top-five finish in the 17&U competition, placing 5th.
Junior Netball
Our junior netballers were also recognised following excellent seasons.
In 15&U Division 1, Gemma Spithill finished runner-up with 8 votes, while Remy Gangell placed 3rd in 13&U Division 2 with 7 votes.
Women’s Football – Division 1
Kiara Delia was crowned the Division 1 Coaches MVP, finishing on top with an impressive 61 votes. Teammate Emmison Zealley finished 3rd with 49 votes.
In the league Best & Fairest, Brigid McEntee finished 3rd with 11 votes, completing a strong night of recognition for the Division 1 side.
Women’s Football – Division 3
Charly Bandera finished 4th in the Coaches MVP with 53 votes, with teammate Jasmine Stone finishing 6th with 49 votes.
In the Best & Fairest, Charly again placed 4th with 16 votes, while Ashley Leeson finished 5th with 12 votes.
Charly also claimed one of the night’s major honours, being crowned the Division 3 Leading Goalkicker after booting 26 goals for the season.
Men’s Football – Division 2
Dom Akuei finished runner-up with 17 votes, while captain Tane Cotter placed 5th with 13 votes.
The Reserves also had two players inside the top four, with Mitchell Hocking finishing 3rd with 10 votes and Raygan Tate placing 4th with 9 votes.
Recognition Awards
The celebrations extended beyond the field and court, with two members of the Burra community recognised for their contribution to the competition.
Elyssa Rees was named the NFNL Trainer of the Year, a fantastic recognition of her support as head trainer while co-captaining the Senior Women to another 3 premierships over the last few seasons.
Liz Mace was also recognised as a finalist for NFNL Volunteer of the Year, acknowledging the enormous contribution she has made to the St Mary’s community since 1994.
SMFNC 