Ratcliffe and Staines shine at Hockey WA Annual Awards

As anticipation builds for the 2026 TeamStar Premier League Finals, the Perth hockey community gathered at Optus Stadium to celebrate the season’s standout performers at the Hockey WA Annual Awards.

On Wednesday 9 September, players, coaches and officials swapped their uniforms for formal attire as the hockey community came together to recognise excellence, achievement and dedication across another memorable season.

The evening’s highest honours went to Westside Wolves star Madi Ratcliffe and Melville’s Ben Staines.

Fresh off another outstanding Premier League campaign, Ratcliffe claimed both the Charlesworth Medal and the Jackie Pereira Women’s Top Goal Scorer Award for the second consecutive year.

The Westside Wolves forward continued to raise the bar in 2026, polling 47 votes from 21 appearances to secure the Charlesowrth Medal, improving on her winning total from last season by eight votes. She also finished the regular season with 33 goals, eight more than her tally in 2025.

Ratcliffe becomes the latest player to win back-to-back Charlesworth Medals, joining Jacqui Day (2015 and 2016), Madonna Blyth (2017 and 2018) and Liné Malan (2022 and 2023). Her consecutive Top Goal Scorer titles also make her the first woman since Westside Wolves’ Sian Smithson (2007 and 2008) to achieve the feat.

In the Men’s competition, Staines secured his second Olympian’s Medal after polling 30 votes across 22 matches. The Melville star previously claimed the league’s most prestigious individual honour for the Men’s competition in 2022.

Several award winners etched their names into the history books throughout the evening.

YMCC’s Cooper Burns became the first player from his club to win the Eric Pearce Men’s Top Goal Scorer Award, finishing the regular season with an impressive 35 goals from just 12 appearances.

Westside Wolves goalkeeper Matthew Edwards enjoyed a breakthrough season, becoming the first player from the club to earn the Fairest & Best Men’s Goalkeeper Award.

In the Women’s competition, WASPS goalkeeper Summer Greenway claimed the Fairest & Best Women’s Goalkeeper Award for the first time. Greenway joins Toni Cronk (2010) and mentor Elizabeth Duguid (2012, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024) as WASPS players to receive the competition’s top goalkeeping honour.

Following a standout year that included selection in the 2026/27 Men’s Under-18 National Futures Squad, UWA’s Max Nelson was named Paul Gaudoin Youth Player of the Year. He becomes the fourth UWA player to receive the award, joining Chris Bausor (2010), Daniel Beale 2014) and Cambell Geddes (2023).

Victoria Park’s Georgia Hiskins claimed the Rechelle Hawkes Youth Player of the Year Award after a breakout campaign that also earned her selection in 2026 Jillaroos squad. Hiskins follows fellow Victoria Park Panthers Georgia Wilson (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017) and Maddison Fenwick (2022) as recipients of the honour.

Victoria Park’s Katy Clarke was named Premier Division 2 Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while WASPS’ Trent Mitton received the top honour in the Premier Division 2 Men’s competition.

In the officiating awards, Casey Donaldson claimed a second straight Golden Whistle Award in recognition of her outstanding umpiring performances throughout the Women’s season, while Matt Claxton took out the Men’s Golden Whistle Award for the first time.