Annalie Longo and Kosta Barbarouses have scooped the major accolades at the Wellington Phoenix awards night at Fraser Park in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai.
The decorated internationals have been crowned the Entelar and OPPO players of the year, while Longo has also been awarded the prestigious Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix award for her leadership of the women’s team.
In addition the 138-cap Football Fern was named the women’s player of the year by her teammates, club members and media after an incredible season where she led the Ninja A-League in chances created.
“It’s really special,” Longo said. “For me it’s been a fantastic season. As a team we wanted to achieve more but it’s a real honour and a privilege to receive awards, especially from your peers is a special one, and the Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix is a prestigious award and means a lot.
“I gave it absolutely everything in every game. That passion and commitment to the game I think you saw and it’s obviously an honour to be recognised.
“I’m really grateful for all the support from the fans, the volunteers, the club and all my teammates.”
On top of receiving the club’s supreme men’s honour, Barbarouses collected the men’s golden boot and goal of the year awards, and was also named the men’s player of the year by his teammates, club members and media.
The 67-time All White is the first three-time winner of the overall men’s player of the year award.
“It gives me immense pride,” Barbarouses said. “Obviously being my hometown club it gives that extra special feeling. To win it three times is very special.
“I always want the best for the team and I think it’s a given to give your all, and I feel like I do that. To be rewarded for it is great.
“Obviously I would have loved to help propel us forward even more this year, but that’s a collective thing that we need to be optimistic for going forward.”
A handful of other players were also recognised.
Football Ferns forward Manaia Elliott and first year professional Corban Piper were named the under-23 players of the year, and club members also chose Alyssa Whinham’s long-range effort against Western Sydney as the women’s goal of the year.
English forward Olivia Fergusson received the women’s golden boot award, while New Zealand age-group internationals Alyssha Eglinton and Xuan Loke were crowned the academy’s players of the year.
The Wellington Phoenix capped the night by paying tribute to some of those who will be leaving the club, including Paul Temple who received a pounamu for his near-decade of service.
Temple joined the academy as a youth team coach in 2016 and went on to become the academy’s technical director before serving as the women’s head coach for the past two seasons.
Wellington Phoenix 2024-25 season award winners:
Fans of the year – The Foster Crescent Crew
Volunteers of the year – Ben Irving, Matt Gibson & Samir Shemon
Staff members of the year – Jessica Fuller, Luke Tongue, Tom Shaw & Toni West-Luamanu
Members’ under-23 players of the year – Manaia Elliott & Corban Piper
Members’ players of the year – Annalie Longo & Kosta Barbarouses
Women’s goal of the year – Alyssa Whinham (Rd 9 vs Western Sydney Wanderers)
Men’s goal of the year – Kosta Barbarouses (Rd 10 vs Newcastle Jets)
Golden boots – Olivia Fergusson (5) & Kosta Barbarouses (10)
Media players of the year – Annalie Longo & Kosta Barbarouses
Academy players of the year – Alyssha Eglinton & Xuan Loke
Players’ players of the year – Annalie Longo & Kosta Barbarouses
Entelar & OPPO women’s player of the year – Annalie Longo
Entelar & OPPO men’s player of the year – Kosta Barbarouses
Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix award – Annalie Longo
Main image: Kosta Barbarouses and Annalie Longo pose with all of their awards after the end of season dinner at Fraser Park. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
