Abbi Church was rewarded for her outstanding season by being named Player of the Year at the Eels' 2023 NRLW Awards Night.
Church was the star of the show at the Rosehill Racecourse awards ceremony, claiming the top honour as well as the Blue & Gold Army Award as the Eels Members' Player of the Year.
She established herself as the Eels' first-choice fullback in 2023, playing every minute of every game in the no. 1 jersey and joining Kennedy Cherrington as the Eels' most-capped NRLW player of all time along the way.
The 25-year old, who juggles football with her profession as a paramedic, upped her attacking output and made countless key defensive plays throughout the season. She earned the attention of Jillaroos coach Brad Donald for a place in the Prime Minister's XIII side to play in Papua New Guinea this Saturday.
Her Eels teammates Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Mahalia Murphy and Shontelle Stowers joined her in claiming honours at the NRLW Awards Night.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku was honoured by her Eels teammates as she won the Players' Player Award on the back of her breakout NRLW season. She too played every minute of every match, and will also feature in the Prime Minister's XIII side.
New recruit Mahalia Murphy took out the NRLW Coaches' Award in honour of her terrific debut season in Blue & Gold. With stints in both the centres and second row, Murphy was a damaging presence on the Eels' edges and scored three tries across nine matches.
Shontelle Stowers' efforts off the field were recognised as she claimed the NRLW Community Award. Her contributions to her local community, as well as the rugby league and Pasifika spaces, through wellness and mentorship saw her nominated for the NRL's Veronica White Medal.
See the full history of the Eels' NRLW award winners here.
Parramatta Eels 2023 NRLW Award Winners
- Player of the Year: Abbi Church
- Players' Player Award: Cassey Tohi-Hiku
- Coaches' Award: Mahalia Murphy
- Blue & Gold Army Award: Abbi Church
- Community Award: Shontelle Stowers
