His efforts in the inaugural A-League season of 2005-06 resulted in him becoming the first player to win the A-League's Rising Star Award with Perth Glory, along with also winning the Perth Supporter's Player of the Year, and also the Smokefree WA Coach's Award [REF].
Following the end of the first A-League season, Nick Ward had trials with Leicester City and Brentford however, much to the disappointment of Football Federation Australia,[REF] he joined Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship prior to the 2006-07 season.