Volunteers Saluted At Grand Finals

Football South Burnett president Steve Copas, centre, with members of the Copas family and the new sign which will be erected at Tom Alford Oval in Kingaroy

September 14, 2023

Two of Football South Burnett’s most dedicated volunteers were honoured at the Grand Finals of the 2023 men’s and women’s competitions, played on Sunday in Kingaroy.

President Steve Copas was presented with a wooden signboard, “Copas Corner”, which will be erected at Tom Alford Oval to recognise his – and his family’s dedication – to the game.

Steve spends hours every week at the grounds, mowing and preparing the fields, and his family members fill many of the local teams!

Danielle Maudsley was presented with a Darling Downs “Service To Football – Gold” award.

As well as being secretary of Football South Burnett, she has served as secretary and treasurer of the Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club, co-ordinates the annual Soccer Sevens carnival and coaches Kingaroy Wests women’s team.

(Grand Final results, see below)

Steve Copas presented the Darling Downs Football “Gold” award to Football South Burnett secretary Danielle Maudsley

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Men’s Grand Final

The victorious Kingaroy Islanders men’s team after their Grand Final win … Islanders have provided tough opposition during the 2023 competition and were also Minor Premiers and took out the President’s Cup earlier in the season

Kingaroy Islanders have been strong all season in the men’s competition and went into the Grand Final as solid favourites.

But Kingaroy Easts proved to be no pushovers, holding Islanders to nil-all – with two goals disallowed – until just before half-time.

Islanders went into the break ahead 1-0.

The second half was also tough going, with Islanders finally scoring their second late in the game.

It could have been 3-0, but a penalty kick was safely knocked away by the Easts’ goalkeeper.

The final score was 2-0.

Kingaroy Easts couldn’t match Islanders in the Grand Final but put up a strong fight

Islanders captain Harry Royal with the Men’s Premiership trophy

Islanders’ Edward Huniehu was the 2023 Men’s competition’s top goal scorer

Player of the Year in the men’s competition was a tie between Dale Lenkeit and Adrian Watt, from Kingaroy Easts

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Women’s Grand Final

The 2023 Women’s competition featured just three teams but that didn’t take away any excitement from the Grand Final showdown between Nanango and Kingaroy Wests.

Wests won the President’s Cup earlier in the season and knew they could defeat the Minor Premiers, Nanango Panthers.

Wests opened the scoring, but Nanango hit back almost immediately, levelling the scores.

At half-tine, the Panthers led 2-1 after securing their second goal off a corner.

Nanango safely fended off two strong Wests’ attempts before scoring again at the mid-point of the half.

A successful penalty kick a few minutes later sealed the final result, 4-1 to Nanango.