Official release from Central Coast Mariners
Talented Central Coast Mariners midfielder Mustafa Amini has been nominated as a finalist in the Sports Performer Awards for 2011 presented by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers.
Amini has been recognised in the 'Young Performer of the Year' category along with four other athletes from varying sports, thanks to his performances in the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League, as well as efforts for the Qantas Young Socceroos and Qantas Australian Under 23 teams.
Amini - currently returning to full fitness under the watchful eye of Mariners head coach Graham Arnold - has enjoyed a stellar 12 months.
Having made his Hyundai A-League debut, Amini has since appeared in a Hyundai A-League grand final, FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Colombia, and fulfilled a boyhood dream by inking a deal to play for German heavyweights, BVB Borussia Dortmund.
Loaned back to the Mariners from Dortmund in a win-win deal until the end Central Coast's participation in the group stage of the 2012 Asian Champions League, Amini is now looking to build on his first season in the Hyundai A-League.
"I've been nominated for a few awards before however it is always nice to be recognised for these types of prizes," Amini said.
"I'd like to wish my peers good luck in the competition, but of course it would be nice for me to win."
The Sports Performer Awards are one of the most prestigious in Australian sport, recognising the very best performers from the previous 12 months. Unlike other major awards, the winner from all categories will be determined by an online public vote, with the highest tallied athlete taking home the prize.
Amini is up against 18-year old New South Wales cricketer Patrick Cummins, 17-year old Sydney FC and Australia ace Caitlin Foord, 17-year slalom canoeist Jessica Fox and mogul skier Matt Graham.
