The milestone marked a record eighth Queensland Firebirds’ Most Valuable Player award for the Jamaican international, as she finished the count on 56 votes ahead of defender Kim Jenner, with Gabi Simpson and Tara Hinchliffe tied for third.
Following an injury interrupted 2019 season, Aiken wound back the clock this year to rediscover the form that saw her as the focal point in the Firebirds’ previous premiership winning seasons of 2011, 2015 and 2016.
She finished her 2020 campaign with nine consecutive games of 40 or more goals on her way to a season tally of 583, second only to fellow countrywoman Jhaniele Fowler, and in Round 14 registered arguably her most impressive milestone, scoring her 7,000th goal at national league level.
Queensland Firebirds’ High Performance Director, Jeremy Hickmans, said the Medal was just reward for an outstanding campaign from Aiken.
“Romelda set the tone from the first day of pre-season and it’s very gratifying to have watched her hard work and commitment translate to a formidable season in which she reaffirmed her status as one of the premier shooters, not only in this league, but across the world,” Hickmans said.
“Her desire to not only lift those around her, as evidenced by her leadership of Tippah in a breakout year, but also to continue to better herself after 13 seasons at the highest level, is testament to her character, as both an athlete and person.”
The prolific shooter’s season was also acknowledged by her teammates, as Aiken took home the 2020 University of Queensland Players’ Player Award, as well as the Queensland Firebirds’ Spirit Award, presented by Coca-Cola Amatil.
Jenner’s remarkable individual season, capped by selection in the Origin Australian Diamonds squad last week, was also rewarded as she was named the 2020 Queensland Firebirds’ Members Player of the Year, thanks to Suncorp.
The Awards Gala also acknowledged Club debutantes from the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball Season, including Tippah Dwan, Lara Dunkley, Ine-Mari Venter, Mia Stower and Rudi Ellis, as well as those members of the Purple Family leaving the Club, namely Head Coach Roselee Jencke OAM and players Mahalia Cassidy and Ine-Mari Venter.
Firebirds’ Awards Gala winners
2020 Laura Geitz Medal presented by LeGassick – Romelda Aiken
2020 University of Queensland Players’ Player Award – Romelda Aiken
2020 Queensland Firebirds’ Spirit Award presented by Coca-Cola Amatil – Romelda Aiken
2020 Queensland Firebirds’ Members Player of the Year presented by Suncorp – Kim Jenner
