Northern Rangers up and coming youngster and Under 14 player has won the inaugural Tom Strickland Memorial Trophy awarded to him as the most outstanding player involved in the NTJSA’s football academy program in 2010.

Academy coach Mitchell Billing put together this brief report to acknowledge Harry’s achievements and highlight the great work of the late Tom Strickland.

Since the inception of the NTJSA Soccer Academy over six years ago we have seen over three hundred boys and girls develop their game through our help. Tom Strickland in particular was the motivating factor behind the necessity to further develop our juniors. The legacy of his passion has instilled in me a continuing endeavour to drive the game forward in North Tasmania. The Academy offers our juniors technique and skills that are imperative for their development. Tom would be very proud to know that a perpetual trophy will now be announced in his honour each year.

On behalf of myself and the coaching staff I am delighted to announce Harry Thannhauser as the inaugural winner of The Tom Strickland Memorial Trophy for 2010. Harry is a terrific talent and a sheer delight to instruct. He simply loves the game of football therefore is highly motivated to learn. Harry' eagerness to learn deceptive moves and transfer that into game situations is outstanding. He is well balanced, extremely composed in threatening situations, a superb communicator and to top it off is an encouraging motivator.

Harry has been coming to the Academy for the last few years. He knows we have many highly skilled individuals and they were all strongly considered for his award. Because he has been so dedicated I am so very pleased to see him as a worthy winner. All the coaches feel Harry has a big future in the game should he continue to be so passionate about football. Congratulations 'Haz'.

Might I add what a wonderful concept this award is.  All future recipients that have this honourable award bestowed upon them will be truly proud.

From Northern Rangers, Congratulations to Harry, and we look forward to seeing his name appear more frequently on the news of Northern Rangers in the future.