NELSON Bay Football Club’s champion under-16 boys team have overcome personal heartbreak in a stellar season that yielded multiple trophies and milestones.
Just weeks after clinching the Newcastle Football Community inter-district grand final championship title, the super 16s have taken out the Nelson Bay club’s Most Distinguished Team Award.
The talented youngsters received their award at the club’s recent presentation night at Salamander Bay Hotel to cap a memorable 2026 campaign.
It was an extremely difficult season for the under-16 players after the club was rocked by the sudden passing of respected coach and parent Andy McKenzie, which has left a lasting impact on the players, coaches, parents and wider Nelson Bay community.
McKenzie’s family chose a fitting way to honour his 12-year connection with the club.
Rather than flowers at his memorial service at the Nelson Bay clubhouse, the family asked for donations towards the Andy McKenzie Stand.
The stand was well used through the latter part of the season and for his sons, Arran and Conor, the stand also became a reminder that their dad would always be close by.
McKenzie’s eldest son Arran stepped up to help coach the under-16 team throughout the season, alongside his brother on the field.
A gifted player himself, Arran’s tactical knowledge was an immense help in supporting coaches Chris Farrell and Jake Parmigiani.
The Nelson Bay team finished on top of the under-16s A Grade ladder as minor premiers with only one loss and achieved the championship double after toppling Cooks Hill in the grand final at Myers Park.
In a nail-biting trophy decider, the score was locked 1-all after full time. Nelson Bay’s top goal merchant for the season and Players’ Player award recipient Ashton Holliday scored in the first half of extra time to take a 2-1 lead before Cooks Hill were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds.
But in a magic moment, Nelson Bay goalkeeper Logan Parmigiani pulled off an incredible save to seal an emotional grand final triumph.
Championship-winning coach Chris Farrell described the 2026 campaign as one of his most challenging.
“But just witnessing the smiles on every boy’s face when they were lying on the grass in the shade after the grand final made it all worthwhile,” he said.
“The season was shaped by loss, strengthened by community and finished with a spirited grand final victory being dedicated to a club legend in Andy McKenzie.”
Nelson Bay’s championship-winning under-16s squad included Logan Parmigiani, Joseph Diemar, Will Harasti, Andrew Farrell, Conor McKenzie, Fred Ball, Ashton Holliday, Harper Bradley, Thomas Mayne, George Massey, Zak Munro, Felix Carter, and Alex Campbell, with coaches Chris Farrell, Jake Parmigiana, Arran McKenzie and team manager, Louise Farrell.
By Chris KARAS
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