Cricket champions Damon Egan and Emma Mannix-Geeves were named the Players of the tournaments in the men’s and women’s divisions after earning the most umpire votes throughout the course of the round matches.
Gunditjmara man Damon Egan also took out the men’s division batting award, after scoring the highest individual score of the tournament. He belted 160 not out from 71 deliveries in the Vics match against Tasmania and the whirlwind innings included 20 boundaries and 7 ‘sixes’.
Across the tournament, he amassed an impressive 284 runs at an average of 71. He also starred with the ball, taking seven wickets, with best figures of 4/51 against New South Wales.
Meanwhile, Emma Mannix-Geeves took home the award for female player of the Championships.
The teenager - who hails from Tasmania but plays in the Victorian NICC team -starred with the bat, scoring a total of 182 runs (at an average of 60.67). Her highest score of 60 came against eventual champions, New South Wales.
New South Wales players also featured strongly in the night’s other awards, with Sara Darney and Tyran Liddiard winning the fielding awards.
Jemma Astley claimed the women’s bowling award, after taking nine wickets (including best figures of 4/14), while Marty Jeffrey shared the men’s bowling award with Victoria’s Wade King.
Queensland captain Courtney Hagan rounded out the award recipients, winning the women’s division batting award, after making a total 205 runs, with a highest score of 81 not out.
A highlight of the awards presentation was the naming of the 2018 Black Caps Honour Squads.
With a tour to England planned for both a men’s and women’s National Indigenous team later this year, the Championships were a chance for players to put their hands up for selection.
The tour will commemorate 150 years since an Aboriginal XI toured the United Kingdom in 1868.
Women’s Black Caps Squad:
Emma Mannix-Geeves (VIC)
Sara Darney (NSW)
Courtney Hagan (QLD)
Dharmini Chauhan (NSW)
Nicole Honeysett (NT)
Anita Silva (SA)
Christina Coulson (QLD)
Kyra Black (QLD)
Julie Muir (NSW)
Samara Williams (WA)
Jemma Astley (NSW)
Hannah Darlington (NSW)
Men’s Black Cap Squad:
Damon Egan (NSW)
Brodie Hayes (TAS)
Nathan Price (NSW)
Brendan Smith (NSW)
Bevan Bennell (WA)
Zac Chapman (NT)
Rhys Ward (TAS)
Martin Jeffrey (NSW)
Brock Larance (NSW)
Ben Patterson (NSW)
Djali Bloomfield (NSW)
Jack Coppins (SA)
