Football Federation Australia (FFA) and NAB, together with Adelaide United are proud to announce Riley McGree as the March nominee for the Hyundai A-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2016/17 Award.
The nomination is McGree’s first ever NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.
McGree is the sixth player nominated for the Hyundai A-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2016/17 Award following Sydney FC duo Brandon O’Neill (October) and Josh Brillante (November), Western Sydney Wanderers FC defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis (December), Brisbane Roar FC’s Brandon Borello (January) and Paul Izzo (Central Coast Mariners).
In what can most certainly be called a meteoric rise for the 18-year old midfielder over the past 9 months, McGree has gone from being a fringe player for Adelaide United at the start of the season to a starting player and then earlier this month was called up for his first ever Caltex Socceroos squad for the recent matches against Iraq and the UAE.
“Being nominated for this award is a great honour. Every player wants to achieve the best they can,” McGree said after learning of his nomination.
“Fortunately Adelaide United have given me the opportunity to play in the Hyundai A-League at such a young age and this sort of experience is invaluable for my football development.
“I really wasn’t expecting to be playing a significant role this season, but I appreciate the chance to prove myself at the highest level,” McGree said.
The Hyundai A-League NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2016/17 will be announced at the Dolan Warren Awards Night.
National Australia Bank’s General Manager Wealth, Personal Banking, Ann-Marie Chamberlain, said she is delighted to see the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award continue to unearth the stars of tomorrow.
“We congratulate Riley on his nomination and look forward to watching his development and growth on the football field in the years to come,” said Chamberlain.
“We are also pleased to recognise Riley’s nominated junior club, Gawler Eagles Soccer Club in South Australia, and hope that our support will help the club to continue developing the game at a local grassroots level.”
NAB has generously donated a $2,000 NAB Club Recognition Award to McGree’s nominated junior club, which includes a range of equipment along with a financial reward.
The overall winner of the Hyundai A-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2016/17 Award will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, along with a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services.
“As a supporter of the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award, we are proud to play an important role in identifying and rewarding the future stars of the game. Who knows, we may even see some of the nominees donning the boots for the Socceroos in the future,” Chamberlain continued.
Each month representatives from the FFA Technical department vote on a 3-2-1 basis for the most outstanding U-23 players in the Hyundai A-League during that period.
