News release - Simcoe County Rovers FC
The Simcoe County Rovers' 2023 season is being recognized by League1 Ontario coaches and staff, as the club captured multiple awards.
A combined total of seven nominees from the men’s and women’s teams are up for individual awards.
This year's winners have been determined by a culmination of factors at the end of the 2023 season. Votes were submitted at the conclusion of the campaign by coaches and league staff from a list of nominees submitted by each club for each category. Those totals were then combined with points awarded to players who were selected by coaches as one of the "Three Stars" of each match in the regular season.
The list of nominees below is an indication of just how far the club has come since entering League1 only two short seasons ago.
- Cloey Uddenberg – Midfielder of the Year
- Trinity Esprit – Defender of the Year
- Baj Maan - Goalkeeper of the Year
- Orlendis Benitez - Midfielder of the Year/Player of the Tear
- Jevontae Layne - Forward of the Year
- Allen Saye Blegay - Young Player of the Year
- Jason Beckford - Coach of the Year
This past week the League announced the following winners.
On the women’s side, Cloey Uddenberg – Midfielder of the Year.
On the men’s side, Baj Maan – Goalkeeper of the Year.
Orlendis Benitez – Midfielder of the Year.
And Jason Beckford – Coach of the Year.
Cloey Uddenberg was a dominant force for the Rovers this past season. The midfielder logged close to 1400 minutes of play over 16 games, scoring 2 goals and was the driving force in the middle of the pitch for Simcoe County. Uddenberg had a great first season for the South Alabama Jaguars starting 14 of 15 matches and helped lead the team to the Conference Semi-Final. Uddenberg was selected to two League 1 teams of the week and one League1 team of the month this past season.
Baj Maan came up huge in the men’s finals vs. Scrosoppi but winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award was a testament to his outstanding play all season long. This past League1 season, Maan kept 6 clean sheets and was selected to two League1 teams of the week.
Orlendis Benitez was instrumental in the Rovers' run to the championship. The attacking midfielder was a creative genius in the midfield, distributing the ball beautifully and scoring timely goals all season long. Benitez scored 16 goals and added 10 assists and was clinical with set pieces all season long. Benitez was selected to 8 League1 teams of the week and 4 League 1 teams of the month.
Jason Beckford deservedly won the Coach of the Year after guiding the second-year Rovers to the championship. The team finished second overall in the league and defeated reigning champions Vaughan in the semis before beating Scrosoppi 4-2 in a thrilling League1 Finals at Ontario Soccer Centre.
Julian De Guzman, President of the Simcoe County Rovers feels the nominations speak to the roots the club is laying down in Barrie and Simcoe County.
“For a second-year club to have seven nominees recognized for individual awards is a testament to the football standards we are building with our program. We play an attractive attacking brand of football and we want to build on our success moving forward.”
A huge congratulations to all of 2023's nominees and award winners!
The Rovers are conducting trials for its women’s program on December 22nd, 27th and December 28th at the Aurora Dome.
The Rovers are conducting reserve trials for its men’s program on December 26th, 28th and 29th at the Bradford Sports Dome
For more information on the Simcoe County Rovers FC, including men’s and women’s trial dates and times, ticket purchase options and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.roversfc.ca
Images via Simcoe County Rovers FC
