Rising stars, Qantas Socceroo Tommy Oar and Perth Glory's Sam Kerr were named U20 FFA Footballer of the Year for 2010.

In the non professional category teams, volunteers, coaches and referees from around the nation were all vying for the top prize.

Senior team The University of Wollongong Hippos from NSW, and youth team Holland Park Hawks FC U14 from Queensland, took home the 2010 Team of the Year honours for their on and off the field achievements.

The University of Wollongong Hippos could be on the verge of a world record after extending their epic football winning streak to 67 games.

Australia enjoys a strong volunteer culture and the notion of volunteering is no exception when it comes to football but it was Laurelle Sommers from Victoria that was recognised for her dedication to volunteering.

Meanwhile Michelle Castle from Tasmania and Asefa Woldemariam from Western Australia were rewarded for their outstanding coaching performance. On the refereeing front, Patrick Galloway from Tasmania was awarded 2010 Referee of the Year title for his commitment to refereeing.

Winners of the PFA and FMA awards were also revealed at the gala Awards ceremony, at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney.

Tim Cahill of Everton and Australia was announced as Australia’s most outstanding international player for 2009-10 by the Football Media Association (FMA) of Australia Chairman, Steven Dettre, as voted by a wide range of participants in the Australian football media, including TV, Radio, newspapers and magazines, and internet. He was a worthy winner to join last year's awardee Mark Schwarzer. It was a very close vote with many worthy players recognised by support in the voting. BOTN supports the FMA, and many of our writers are members. The FMA is delighted to be associated with the Australian Football Awards.

Australia's elite professional footballers at home and around the world have also voted for their outstanding peers in the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Awards.

The PFA Footballer of the Year went to Qantas Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer who received 392 votes from his fellow professionals, just ahead of last year's winner, Everton star Tim Cahill, who received 385. Qantas Socceroos and AZ Alkmaar attacking midfielder Brett Holman was third with 196 votes.

The PFA Harry Kewell Medal for the best young player was awarded to another goalkeeper - former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, is now with German giant Borussia Dortmund, and his father accepted the award on his behalf. His 299 votes saw him head off Adelaide United's Matthew Leckie (270) and FC Utrecht's Tommy Oar (253).

Former Westfield Matildas skipper Cheryl Salisbury presented the players' association's inaugural PFA Women's Footballer of the Year award to Servet Uzunlar, a star defender for the Matildas in their Asian Cup triumph, who received 39 votes from her Westfield Matildas' team mates. Westfield Matildas skipper and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was runner up with 29, ahead of Elise Kellond-Knight, the promising Brisbane Roar midfielder, with 26 votes.

BOTN's editor was honoured to be a guest representing the FMA, and enjoyed the event - particularly the modesty despite the achievements of the non-professional awardees (and for me the enthusiasm of the Hippos was a joy among the 'glitterati' of football's upper atmosphere - hope you win in Dubbo tomorrow girls!). For the record the menu was: Ocean Trout Confit, Angus Beef Tenderloin, and Apple Tarte Tatin, with tea & coffee, and of course a range of drinks - I had the red wine, having come by train!

Report from the Awards; by Chris Dunkerley 8 October, 2010