This award is given in honour of Andrew Wuksta. It is an encouragement award given to a referee who has a relaxed, friendly, positive outlook, a referee who is willing to accept advice and always does their best. A member who wishes to contribute and represents the game, our association and themselves in the best possible manner.

2023: Blake Furness / Stephen Quaill
2022: Joshua Nichols
2021: No season (covid)
2020: No season (covid)
2019: Jen Taylor / Rhys Carty
2018: Zac Lieschke/Harrison Nagle
2017: Cameron Roach
2016: Declan Patrala
2015: Daniel Moore
2014: Adam Sylwestrzak
2013: Nathan Mackay
2012: Patrick Townsend
2011: Marcus Reed/Rhys Bennett
2010: Ben Cudars
2009: Kate Freeman
2008: Novak Sojic
2007: Chris Maher
2006: James Nichols
2005: Aras Mollison
2004: Zac Mirt
2003: Harry Hill
2002: Amy Martin
2001: Jason Farrell
2000:
1999: Andrew Nichols

Andrew Wuksta was our first assocation member to receive the Rookie of the year award. Andrew was a young referee who he had a great love of refereeing and cherished his involvement with AWSRA. At every opportunity he volunteered his time, always attended monthly meetings and education seminars. He always had a smile on his face and had an infectious ability to put a smile on the face of everyone with whom he came into contact.   
A short time after receiving the inaugural Rookie of the Year trophy, Andrew was tragically killed in a car accident. In 2001, in recognition of an unforgettable young man, the Rookie of the Year Award was renamed the Andrew Wuksta Memorial Award. 

• Rookie of the year is awarded to someone in their early stages of refereeing
• Has a genuine love for refereeing and the game in general
• Has a relaxed, friendly, positive outlook, is willing to accept advice and always does their best
• Contributes and represents the game, our association and themselves in the best possible manner
• Makes an effort to attend General Meetings and education seminars, however is tempered and candidates should not be disadvantaged by consideration such as:
  1. Geographic location (living outside the cities of Albury Wodonga etc)
  2. Work/study commitments (night/shift work etc)
  3. Family commitments (illness/special circumstances)
     
     

Determination: The award is decided by the Executive and based on recommendations from the Technical Committee.