WRIGHT WINS 2026 GAIL KNIGHT MEDAL
Our Senior Women capped off an unforgettable 2026 season with the presentation of the club’s end of season awards, celebrating the players behind one of the program’s most successful years and recognising our Gail Knight Medallist as the Senior Women’s Best & Fairest.
From the opening round, the group set an incredibly high standard. Fourteen games, fourteen wins and a minor premiership saw us finish the home and away season undefeated and earn our place at the top of Division One.
After earning their way through to the Grand Final, the women faced Burnside Heights at Highgate Recreation Reserve and delivered when it mattered most, securing a 22–8 victory and the 2026 Division One Premiership.
An undefeated season and a premiership is an achievement this group can be incredibly proud of, but just as important is what continues to be built around our women’s program. A strong culture, high standards and a genuine pathway for female footballers to develop, compete and enjoy their football at Westmeadows.
The success of this year is another step forward for women’s football at our club and an exciting foundation for what comes next.
GAIL KNIGHT Medal
Gail Knight is one of those people who has simply always been there for the Westmeadows Football Club.
Over the years, there aren’t many roles Gail hasn’t taken on or jobs she hasn’t put her hand up to help with. Whether it’s out the front or behind the scenes, she has given countless hours to our club and continues to be someone we can always rely on.
Her contribution goes far beyond any one role. It is the years of showing up, helping wherever needed and genuinely caring about the people who call Westmeadows home that make Gail so special to our club.
Having given so much to Westmeadows and been a wonderful supporter of our women’s program, it is fitting that our Senior Women’s Best & Fairest Medal proudly carries the Gail Knight name, recognising her contribution to our club and the impact she continues to have today.
gail knight medalist - Gemma Wright
Captain Coach Gemma Wright has claimed the Gail Knight Medal for the sixth time, adding another Senior Women’s Best & Fairest to an incredible record in the yellow and black.
Finishing the count on an impressive 188 votes, Gemma led from the front throughout our undefeated premiership season, continuing to set the standard both on and off the field.
Winning the Gail Knight Medal six times is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of her consistency, leadership and contribution to our football club over many years.
Gemma finished ahead of sister Sarah Wright (73 votes), Ruby Smith (62 votes), Courtney Bligh (52 votes) and Courteney Munn (50 votes), rounding out our 2026 top five.
The Gillian O’Brien Award for Rising Youth Female was presented to Ella Guest after a remarkable first season at Westmeadows.
Having only recently turned 19, Ella made an immediate impact on the field and within the playing group, with a bright future ahead in the yellow and black.
The Coaches Award was presented to Miranda Bulman, who returned to the side late in the season after taking an extended break from football. Having spent the previous few years with us, she made an immediate impact on and off the field and was quickly back at home within the playing group.
Courteney Munn finished the season as our Senior Women’s Leading Goal Kicker with 49 goals, producing another outstanding year in front of goal and providing a consistent scoring option throughout our undefeated premiership season.
Ruby Smith was recognised as our Most Consistent in Finals, putting together a strong finals series and continuing to deliver for the team when it mattered. Often flying under the radar, her consistency and contribution across the finals made her a deserving recipient.
Madison Shaw-Barton was awarded the inaugural Gemma Wright Medal, voted by Senior Women’s Coach Gemma Wright as Westmeadows’ Best on Ground in the 2026 Grand Final.
Madison became the inaugural recipient following an outstanding performance in our history making 2026 Grand Final victory, adding another special moment to an unforgettable season.
The naming of the medal is a fitting tribute to Gemma’s remarkable achievements and ensures her legacy will remain a permanent part of Westmeadows Football Club history.
2026 division one women awards
Gail Knight Medalist | Gemma Wright - 188 votes
Gail Knight Medal Runner-Up | Sarah Wright - 73 votes
3rd Place | Ruby Smith - 62 votes
4th Place| Courtney Bligh - 52 votes
5th Place | Courteney Munn - 50 votes
Coaches Award | Miranda Bulman
Leading Goal Kicker | Courteney Munn - 49 votes
Division One Women Most Consistent in Finals | Ruby Smith
Gemma Wright Medal - Grand Final Best on Ground | Madison Shaw-Barton
Among the League’s Best
Our Senior Women were strongly represented at the Airport Toyota Division One Women’s Awards, with three players receiving major individual honours following our undefeated premiership season.
Gemma Wright claimed the Division One Women’s Best & Fairest, polling 32 votes to secure the league’s top individual honour and the fourth league Best & Fairest medal of her career.
Her remarkable season was capped off on the big stage, named Best on Ground in the 2026 Airport Toyota Division One Grand Final against Burnside Heights as she helped lead our senior women to a history making premiership. A fitting finish to an incredible season for our Captain/Coach.
Courtney Bligh was also recognised among the competition’s best, polling 18 votes to finish equal Runner-Up alongside Gisborne’s Amy O’Kelly. A consistent performer throughout the season, Courtney’s result was fitting recognition of the leadership, competitiveness and reliability she brought to the group each week.
Courteney Munn took out the Division One Women’s Leading Goal Kicker Award, finishing the home and away season with 44 goals. A constant threat in front of goal throughout the year, she played an important role in our attacking line and continued to deliver on the scoreboard across our undefeated season.
Lastly, Liana Keenan was recognised as the Jack Harris Club Administrator of the Year, a fitting acknowledgement of the incredible contribution she continues to make to our club.
As Club Secretary, Liana gives countless hours behind the scenes to keep our club moving forward. Her commitment, care and willingness to always help make her an invaluable part of Westmeadows.
Four major league honours across our playing group was another outstanding achievement in our history making season for our Senior Women.
2026 edfl division one women awards
Airport Toyota Division One Best & Fairest | Gemma Wright - 32 votes
Equal Best & Fairest Runner-Up | Courtney Bligh - 18 votes (Amy O'Kelly - Gisborne)
Airport Toyota Division One Leading Goal Kicker | Courteney Munn - 49 goals
Jack Harris Club Adminstrator of the Year | Liana Keenan
Thank You to Our Coaching & Support Staff
A big thank you to Head Coach Gemma Wright for her leadership of our Senior Women throughout an unforgettable 2026 season, guiding the group through an undefeated year and to the Airport Toyota Division One Premiership.
Thank you also to Assistant Coaches Nat Scott and Shelby Best for the time, support and commitment they gave to the playing group throughout the season. Their contribution both on and off the field played an important role in the success of the team.
And finally, a huge thank you to Team Manager Bella Williams, whose contribution goes well beyond game day. From keeping everything organised each week to her work behind the scenes with team events and everything in between, we simply wouldn’t be able to get out there each week without her.
We would also like to acknowledge the incredible support of our major and club sponsors, including KTL Cargo Services, G-Electrical & Refrigeration, YPA Gladstone Park, Broadmeadows Sporting Club, VirtuGrp and Teleauora.
Their continued support of our Senior Women’s program plays an important role in what we are able to provide for our players and helps us continue to grow and strengthen women’s football at our club. We are incredibly grateful to have their support behind us.
The 2026 season will always hold a special place in the history of our Senior Women’s program. An undefeated home and away season, a minor premiership and ultimately the Division One Premiership was an incredible reward for the work, commitment and belief of the entire group.
More than the results, this season showed what continues to be built within women’s football at our club. A strong playing group, a culture that players want to be part of and a program that continues to grow both on and off the field.
To our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and everyone who played a part throughout the year, thank you for making 2026 a season we will never forget.
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