Although Doohan performed at a great standard all season and helped her team win the premiership, she was still humbled and surprised when the award was announced during the club’s awards night this month.
‘‘It was so much of a surprise,’’ she said.
‘‘The team is full of talent so I feel honoured to win the award.
‘‘Ever since I joined the team the coaching staff have been wonderful. They’ve made me feel so welcome and I have built friendships that will last forever.’’
Hayley won the award in her maiden season with the club after playing for the Finley Cats.
She said she was pleased she moved to the Bears with three other Finley players, who were met with open arms and acceptance from all the coaching staff and teammates.
‘‘My skills developed so quickly with the system they have in place and the attention they spend on each player and the whole team,’’ she said.
‘‘They treat every player equally and try their hardest to develop everyone together.
‘‘I trust my teammates which is something rare and I’m so thankful to be involved with the club.
‘‘It was a big decision to move clubs given that it’s over an hour and 15 minutes each way just for training, but you’ve got to love it to want to be that involved.
‘‘The club was so receptive to all us Finley girls. Theodora (Miaoudis), Charlie (Mason), Kayla (Smith) and I are all so happy to be a part of the premiership team and thoroughly enjoyed the whole season.’’
After winning the club’s top honour, Hayley plans to return to the youth girls side once more despite finishing her high school career later this year and having aspirations to move out of Finley to pursue her education.
‘‘Next year I planning to move away for uni but since I’ll still be 17, I plan to make it back as much as I can to play for the youth team,’’ she said.
The award was presented to Hayley for her contribution and performance all season after deliberation from the coaching staff.
Teammate Kayla Smith also received acknowledgement from the coaching staff, being named the runner-up in the award.
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