Posted on 25 August, 2010

RYAN BATHIE (Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras) received 23 votes from opposition coaches and captains to clinch his first Australian Youth Player award ahead of Australian Boomers squad member Hugh Greenwood.  Ryan helped the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras to the minor premiership with a 19-8 regular season record. 

Although finishing with the Minor premiership the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras exited the playoffs with two disappointing losses, but Bathie has been rewarded for his individual game this year with this award and was also selected to the Australian SEABL Select team to tour China in September. 

Ryan averaged 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2 assists for the season including a season best 36pts@75%, 7rebs in round eight to earn Player of the Week recognition.  Ryan scored 20+pts on six occasions and finished the regular season with nine straight games scoring double figures. 

Bathie joined the Swinburne Cobras after a season as development player with the Melbourne Tigers and despite not getting a position with an NBL team this summer is still on the radar of many coaches’ minds.

2010 EAST MEN VOTING

ELLIE MANOU (Swinburne Kilsyth Lady Cobras) wins the SEABL Women Australian Youth Player of the Year Award in her first SEABL season.  Ellie has been a dominant force inside the paint for the Swinburne Lady Cobras and finished the season averaging 14.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists. 

Kilsyth recruited heavily in the off-season due to many departures and a new head coach for season 2010.  Ellie is a past AIS scholarship holder and was a member of the Sydney Flames 2009/10 WNBL team.  Manou joined the league with many credentials and delivered a great performance in every game.

Manou recorded 12+ rebounds on ten occasions including a season best 17 on two occasions and finished as the third best rebounder in the competition.  Ellie started the season strongly with a 19pts, 17rebs performance in round three and also recorded 22pts, 14rebs, 2blks against Dandenong in rd19.

2010 WOMEN VOTING

This award recognizes improvement and development in players throughout the 2010 regular season.  To be eligible to win this award, players must have Australian Basketball Nationality and be 23 years or under.  It is not a requirement to be a first year player.