Jet Joseph Champness named Hyundai A-League NAB Young Footballer of Year nominee for December

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and NAB, together with Newcastle Jets, are proud to announce Joseph Champness as the December nominee for the Hyundai A-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2017/18 Award.

This is Champness’s first nomination for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.

Champness, 20, joins Melbourne City FC attacker Bruce Kamau (October), as well as Central Coast Mariners creative Daniel De Silva (November) as a nominee for the prestigious Award.

During December 2017 Champness contributed strongly to Newcastle Jets’ strong surge up the Hyundai A-League standings, starting all five of the team’s fixtures as Ernie Merrick’s men defeated Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers at home, as well as Perth Glory away.

Indeed, Champness has appeared in every Newcastle Jets Hyundai A-League match this season, and has scored two goals for the Novocastrians. Champness could add to that tally this evening when Newcastle takes on Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium in round 14 of the competition.

The Hyundai A-League NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2017/18 will be announced at the Dolan Warren Awards Night.

NAB’s Chief Marketing Officer, Andrew Knott, said he is proud to see the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award continue to identify and reward outstanding achievement of talented young footballers.

“We congratulate Joseph on his nomination and look forward to watching his development and growth on the football field in the years to come,” said Knott.

“We are also pleased to recognise Joseph’s nominated junior club, Moreton Bay United FC in Queensland, and hope that our support will help the club to continue developing the game in communities across Australia.”

Champness’s nominated junior club will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award, which includes a range of equipment along with $1000.

The overall winner of the Hyundai A-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2017/18 Award will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, along with a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking products and services.

“As a supporter of the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award, we are proud to play an important role in identifying and rewarding the future stars of the game. Who knows, we may even see some of the nominees in the green and gold jersey in the future,” Knott concluded.  

Each month representatives from the FFA Technical Department vote on a 3-2-1 basis for the most outstanding U23 players in the Hyundai A-League during that period.