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Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer capped a superb season for both club and country by taking out the first Australian Footballer of the Year award on Thursday night.
The 36-year-old shot stopper accepted the award at the inaugural Australian Football Awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney while Matildas midfielder Joanne Peters was named the female player of the year.
Australian and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill also accepted a major gong after he was chosen by his peers as the Professional Footballers Association’s player of the year.
Schwarzer had arguably the best season of his career after joining Fulham following an 11-year stint with English Premier League rivals Middlesbrough and his form saw many regard him as the league’s goalkeeper of the year.
His form for the Socceroos was equally impressive and he was arguably the best player of the campaign as Australia sealed qualification for next year’s World Cup.
Schwarzer has not conceded a goal in his last seven qualifiers, setting an Australian record, and became the longest serving Australian men’s player of all time in the win over Uzbekistan in April.
“It’s been a fantastic season,” said Schwarzer, whose international career spans close to 16 years.
“Obviously you have dreams and ambitions in life and I’ve been very fortunate to live out my dream and along the way accomplish a lot of my life-long goals.
“Now I’m going to have to keep looking for new ones, which is great. I love being in that position.”
Peters, 30, took out the women’s award to cap a fine international career after calling time on her Matildas commitments in February.
Adelaide United youngster Daniel Mullen and Central Coast striker Kyah Simon took out the male and female under 20 footballer of the year awards.
The award winners were decided by a judging panel comprised of Football Federation Australia board members and representatives from the media.
Cahill earned 378 votes to take out the PFA prize, ahead of Schwarzer (254), while Brisbane Roar captain Craig Moore and Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz tied for third with 100 votes.
The Everton star overcame several injury setbacks to help the English Premier League club to the FA Cup final, where they were beaten by Chelsea.
“Tim’s football brings together a passion and awareness of the game which makes him one of the English Premier Leagues most influential players,” PFA chief executive Brendan Schwab said.
“His love for the Australian shirt has seen him have an equally profound impact for the Socceroos in a variety of roles.”
Former Perth Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya, now with Dutch side FC Twente, won the PFA Harry Kewell medal for the best player aged under 23.
Rukavytsya received 218 votes ahead of Adelaide’s Scott Jamieson (173) and Newcastle’s Tarek Elrich (164).
The FFA also recognised volunteers, coaches and referees for their efforts at grass roots level throughout the year.
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