In total, 11 awards were given out as the club celebrated the accomplishments, performances and moments of its MLS campaign.
Highlighting the banquet was the awarding of the club’s six major awards – Golden Boot, Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Play of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year.
Gleeson, who has one New Zealand cap to his name, received the humanitarian award for his willingness to lend a hand in the local community.
The official awards address stated that:
Jake Gleeson was instrumental in the Timbers’ community outreach efforts in 2011.
In addition to attending numerous community appearances, Gleeson served as a mentor for local youth club Hillside Soccer Club through the Timbers’ Adopt-a-Club programme during the season.
He was actively involved in several fundraising initiatives throughout the season, including one for the Brian Grant Foundation as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters – one of the Timbers’ community pillar partners.
Gleeson was a participant in Mercy Corps’ “Lose the Boot” and International Day of Peace campaigns, helping to raise money for the organisation’s sport for change programmes around the world.
The 21-year-old has represented his country at age-group level and was called into Ricki Herbert’s All Whites squad to face China in March but pulled out of the running as his services were required at the Timbers.
He finally made his debut in June when he appeared as a late substitute in a 3-0 loss to Australia.

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