Manitoba announces 2010 award winners

Andrew Aitken and Jillian Rocke are the top senior players in Manitoba from the 2010 season. Aiken and Rocke were celebrated on 12 March at the Manitoba Soccer Association Annual Awards Banquet in Winnipeg, MB. The event recognized 11 provincial award winners. Aitken won the Frank Capasso award while Rocke won the Christine O’Connor award.



“Heartfelt congratulations are extended to all of the recipients of the awards being presented at this year’s banquet,” said Manitoba Soccer Association president Christine O’Connor. “They are true representatives of our soccer community and their commitment to the sport is greatly appreciated.”



Aitken served as captain of the Sons of Italy, leading his club to a first-place finish in the league, but losing in extra time of the MSA provincial championship. Along with his club exploits in Winnipeg, the defender played for the Thunder Bay Chill of the USL-PDL.



Rocke played for Team United and led her club to the MSA provincial title, only losing 0:1 after extra time. The left midfielder had helped her club finish fourth in the regular season standings with a 12-3-4 record. Rocke completed her 18th season of soccer in 2010, returning to play after welcoming her third son in September 2009.



Dylan Carreiro (boys) and Neena Young (girls) were the two outstanding youth players of the year. Carreiro won the Harry Harwood award while Young won the Lorrie Thompson award. Other award winners in 2010 were Ted Hotchkiss (President’s Award), Graham Forsyth (Mario Perrino Outstanding Referee), Bill Clark (Frank Major Outstanding Official), Al Johnson (Dave Zacharias Outstanding Coach), Greg Nordman (Vic Batzel Outstanding Youth Volunteer), Eleanor Farrant (Ralph Cantafio Outstanding Senior Volunteer), and Lynda McLeish (Fred Stambrook Outstanding Volunteer).



The Manitoba Soccer Association Annual Awards Banquet featured Michelle Lissel of Fox Soccer. The keynote speaker was Karina LeBlanc, goalkeeper with Canada’s women’s national team.