ANA 2024: Railways’ Kasey Warren claims Michelle Parsons Memorial Award as fairest and best A1 player

Railways sharpshooter Kasey Warren has capped off her outstanding season by winning the Michelle Parsons Memorial Award as the Albany Netball Association fairest and best A1 player. Players, coaches and club officials gathered at Lime Burners 303 on Saturday night for the annual A1 awards to honour the season’s outstanding individual performers. Warren claimed the top gong ahead by five votes ahead of Royals Saints young gun Sophie Loveridge while Kangas defender Keely Berry won the Sue Howlett award as the best under-18 player in the A1 competition. Originally from Albany, Warren lives in Perth but travels back to play for Railways, a club she said she just loves being a part of. “It was a bit of a shock, but it was really nice, it’s definitely not something I played for,” Warren said. “I’ve been playing in Perth but came back down to Albany this season. “I enjoy it so much better down in the country, playing with my sisters and my friends, and had mum as manager. “I love the sport and I’m always committed to playing with my friends and family.” Warren finished with 20 votes to claim the top gong while Loveridge (15 votes) and Royals Saints teammate Narelle Humphries (13) rounded out the top three. Last year’s winner Claire Holliday from Bullets and Berry collected 12 votes while former winners Rachel Adams (Bullets) and Kristie Slater (Narrikup) collected 11 votes, the same number as Kangas’ Sophie Panizza. Despite being out of finals contention early in the season after Railways were docked premiership points, Warren said she still thoroughly enjoyed playing for her side throughout the year. “We had some hiccups throughout the season, but we always just went and gave it our best shot and made sure we had fun while doing it,” she said. “It was such a good team to do that with and we knew that finals weren’t really going to happen for us pretty early on in the season, but we just enjoyed the game really. “I think that everyone in our team has their own perks, and everyone is pretty skilled players and we’re such a good team together, off and on the court. “It’s been nice to play with all the different skilled players, and also some of the players I’ve played with when I was in Albany before moving up to Perth. So it’s nice to then play with them again and watch them improve as well.” The 23-year-old said while she aims to play a key role in the goal circle with stints in defence, she hopes the younger players can learn from her craft. “A lot of the players in my team are younger than me, so I try and be more of a role model as well, and help guide the younger players on the court, rather than just concentrating on my own game,” she said. “I try helping develop the younger players to soon take over from us older players.” The ANA also announced the Allstars team which was selected by A1 coaches. Warren, Emily Gadean (Bullets), Brittany Finigan (Denmark) and Te Paea Keremete (Narrikup) were named as forwards while Slater (Narrikup), Jo-anne Scott (Bullets) and Hayley Hulm (Kangas) were selected in the mid-court and Berry (Kangas), Adams (Bullets) and Holliday (Bullets) were chosen as defenders. Gadean was named as Coaches Player of the Year after a stellar season for the minor premiers. The ANA also recognised Keira Wiegele as the Dawn Ellis Umpiring Award winner as best senior umpire while Ruby Steele won the junior umpire of the year award.