Newcastle Jets utility Josh Brillante wins Australian under 20 player of the year Josh Brillante with Emile Heskey at the Australian Football Awards. Pic: Mark Evans Source: News Limited JOSH Brillante's star continues to rise, with the Bundaberg product on Wednesday night named Australia's under-20 player of the year. The former Gold Coast United utility's memorable year included impressive displays at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey and his maiden Socceroos cap at the East Asian Cup in July. While he was among many Socceroos who struggled in the 4-3 loss to China, 20-year-old Brillante continued to perform well in the A-League for Newcastle, who take on Brisbane at Hunter Stadium on Sunday. Brillante, linked with a move to Europe only two months ago, was among several players, referees, officials and teams honoured at last night's Australian Football Awards in Sydney. The main prize went to Crystal Palace captain and Socceroos midfielder Mile Jedinak, who was named footballer of the year. Jedinak is part of Australia's squad for next Tuesday's friendly against Costa Rica in Sydney. Former Roar W-League star Lisa De Vanna, now with Melbourne Victory, won the women's footballer of the year gong. A host of "non-professional" awards were also handed out, with National Premier League Queensland club Far North Queensland Heat named team of the year. The Heat's off-field activities contributed to their success, with the club being involved with Guide Dogs Queensland, FNQ Cerebral Palsy Support Group and the Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal. The Cairns-based Heat also conducted a host of local community football clinics and were a hit at grassroots level. "To be recognised nationally is a huge honour and has frankly taken us by surprise," Heat chairman Adam Garnett told the Football Queensland website. The credit however goes to our volunteers, sponsors and players who've really bought into the culture of football ambassadorship and community participation we have tried to create. When we put the club together we wanted to be more than a football team, but an organisation that was passionate about promoting football by being at the forefront of the technical and organisational changes our sport's currently undergoing to be major force in the 21st Century sporting landscape.