Subscribe for FREE to NBL+ to watch every NBL1 game LIVE!

Fri

Aug 15, 2025

Stars Shine Bright at the NBL1 South 2025 Awards Night

NBL1 South

Share on Social

Related Tags

No items found.

On Friday 15 August, the eve of Grand Final weekend, the NBL1 South community came together for one of the most anticipated events on the calendar, the annual NBL1 South Awards Night. Held in front of players, coaches, referees, club officials, league staff, and supporters, the evening honoured the standout achievements of the 2025 season.

The Awards Night not only celebrates statistical excellence and on court dominance, but also recognises leadership, defensive grit, emerging talent, officiating standards, and the vital contributions made by clubs and administrators. With the competition’s emphasis on excellence across both the men’s and women’s programs, the honours list reflected the depth, balance, and talent spread throughout the league.

In the headline individual awards, Women’s Most Valuable Player went to Jaz Shelley (Geelong United), capping off a season where she led her side with skill, consistency, and an all round impact that made her one of the toughest covers in the competition. Shelley’s 2025 campaign was further highlighted by earning the Women’s Golden Hands Award with a league best 6.81 assists per game and a spot in the Women’s All First Team. Joining her in the First Team were Lou Brown (Frankston Blues), Alicia Froling (Knox Raiders), Hannah Hank (Geelong United) and Maddi Rocci (Keilor Thunder). The Women’s All Second Team featured Isabelle Bourne (Keilor Thunder), Rebecca Cole (Waverley Falcons), Dallas Loughridge (Dandenong Rangers), Abby O’Connor (Kilsyth Cobras) and Nyadiew Puoch (Dandenong Rangers).

In the men’s competition, Men’s Most Valuable Player was awarded to Tom Wilson (Melbourne Tigers) after a season of offensive firepower and leadership from the backcourt. Wilson was joined in the Men’s All First Team by Akech Aliir(Mt Gambier Pioneers), Ben Ayre (Sandringham Sabres), Michael Harris (Frankston Blues) and Keli Leaupepe (Knox Raiders). The Men’s All Second Team consisted of Ole Angerstein (Hobart Chargers), Mason Forbes (Waverley Falcons), Malith Machar (Sandringham Sabres), Jock Perry (Diamond Valley Eagles), Jack Purchase (Melbourne Tigers) and Jacob Richards (Hobart Chargers).

Defensive Player of the Year honours went to Steph Reid (Diamond Valley Eagles) and Gemma Potter (Geelong United) in the women’s competition, and Sunday Dech (Knox Raiders) in the men’s. Youth Player of the Year was awarded to Dallas Loughridge (Dandenong Rangers) for the women and Christian D’Angelo (Nunawading Spectres) for the men.

The league’s most productive players in key statistical categories were also celebrated:

  • Women’s Leading Scorer: Lou Brown (Frankston Blues) – 22.85 points per game
  • Men’s Leading Scorer: Michael Harris (Frankston Blues) – 24.68 points per game
  • Women’s Leading Rebounder: Lou Brown (Frankston Blues) – 12.8 rebounds per game
  • Men’s Leading Rebounder: Jock Perry (Diamond Valley Eagles) – 13.26 rebounds per game
  • Women’s Golden Hand Award: Jaz Shelley (Geelong United) – 6.81 assists per game
  • Men’s Golden Hand Award: Malik Meunier (Waverley Falcons) – 4.91 assists per game

Behind every successful season are the tacticians and leaders guiding their teams. Coach of the Year awards went to Megan Moody (Geelong United) in the women’s competition and Richard Hill (Mt Gambier Pioneers) in the men’s. Both were recognised for their strategic acumen, player development, and ability to keep their sides at the top end of the competition.

The officiating community was also celebrated, with Neil Bradbury Referee Coach of the Year awarded to Armamn Kumruyan for his support and guidance to the referee group, and the Golden Whistle presented to Joshua Durand as the league’s standout referee, recognised for his professionalism, communication, and consistent performance.

At the club and league level, Club of the Year went to the Melbourne Tigers for their excellence across both programs, while Executive of the Year was awarded to Tamie Harvey (Dandenong Rangers) for her leadership and contributions off the court. The Knox Raiders collected two major program wide honours: the Points Off the Bench Award with 13.36 points per game from their reserves, and the CREST Shield for recording the most combined men’s and women’s regular season wins, finishing with a remarkable 36.

The 2025 NBL1 South Awards Night was a celebration of the league’s best, players who dominate on the stat sheet, defenders who change games without needing to score, young stars rising fast, coaches shaping championship contenders, referees who uphold the game’s integrity, and clubs building excellence across their programs. With the season’s top honours now awarded, all eyes turn to Grand Final weekend and the crowning of the 2025 champions.