More recognition for Matildas

The Matildas have received further recognition with captain Cheryl Salisbury and youngster Ellyse Perry collecting major awards at the NSW Institute of Sport 2007 Awards held overnight in Sydney.

The Matildas have received further recognition with captain Cheryl Salisbury and youngster Ellyse Perry collecting major awards at the NSW Institute of Sport 2007 Awards held overnight in Sydney.

Matildas skipper Salisbury collected the latest award of her decorated career in winning Team Athlete of the Year award, while at the other end of the scale 16-year-old dual international Perry was named Junior athlete of the Year.

Salisbury lead the Matildas to an historic quarter final 2007 berth September-s FIFA Women-s World Cup in China and with it an all-time highest FIFA world ranking of 12. Schoolgirl Perry had a remarkable 2007 debuting for the Matildas in August, appearing for the Young Matildas in their Asian qualifying campaign in October and having made her first appearance for the Australian women-s cricket team earlier in the year.

Perry was also a nominee for the Team Athlete of the Year award as was Matildas striker Sarah Walsh. Salisbury was also a finalist in the category of Female Athlete of the Year while Kate Gill was nominated for the Academic Excellence Award.

The Matildas were also nominated as a finalist for the Most Memorable Moment award.

Last week Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna became the first footballer to claim the WA Sportswoman of the Year Award, with team-mate Collette McCallum also nominated.

There was also recognition last night for Australian FIFA Women-s World Cup final referee Tammy Ogston who won the Officiator of the Year Award at the Queensland Sports Federation Awards.