Teenage sensation Alou Kuol and the mercurial Michelle Heyman have been voted by their peers as the LUCRF Super PFA Player of the Month in the A-League and W-League, respectively.
Initially selected alongside a shortlist of players by the PFA nominations committee, Kuol and Heyman received the highest number of votes from their peers to be crowned as December and January’s best performers according to Australia’s professional footballers.
Responding to news of the award after an inimitable return to the W-League with Canberra United, Heyman said:
“Being supported and recognised by the players around me is an incredible honour. I’ve really enjoyed being back on a team, mentoring the next generation and watching the fresh faces in the league hit goals. I’m having so much fun on the field. I missed this game!”
Reacting to recognition from his A-League peers, the Central Coast Mariners’ Kuol said:
“I’m very honoured to receive this award as Player of the Month, to be recognised by all the players across the A-League, I’m very happy. [I’m] pretty shocked at the same time, but the hard work continues.
“My form is down to hard work, getting stuck into it and bringing energy to the team. Energy is what it comes down to I reckon. It’s been an excellent start to the season so far; the boys are all very happy, the energy is good, and everybody is sticking together and we’re all working hard for each other.”
In the player vote Kuol edged out fellow nominees Valentino Yuel (Newcastle Jets), Dylan Wenzel Halls (Brisbane Roar) and Adam Federici (Macarthur FC).
Reinvented after an 18-month sabbatical from the game, Heyman finished ahead of Lily Alfeld (Perth Glory), Teagan Micah (Melbourne City FC) and Teresa Polias (Sydney FC) in the player poll and was instrumental for Canberra in the club’s opening five rounds.
The LUCRF Super PFA Player of the Month award is proudly supported by PFA Major Partner LUCRF Super and has recognised the on-field efforts of the players in Australia’s domestic competitions since 2014.
A-League players are asked to vote in a 3-2-1 basis from a shortlist of nominees chosen by an awards committee, which consists of a range of prominent former footballers, coaches and Australian football media personalities, at the end of each month.
A-League and W-League PFA Player of the Month Winners (2020/21):
December/January: Alou Kuol (Central Coast Mariners) and Michelle Heyman (Canberra United)
LUCRF Super has been the major partner of the PFA since 2009. They play a key role in providing superannuation and financial education to PFA members. As a result of the partnership, hundreds of the PFA’s members have joined LUCRF Super. Many have taken advantage of benefits that are open to all of our members, such as personalised financial advice and a secure mobile app
