Awards Night Successes Across Perthshire Rugby
Great night where 15 awards were presented and all PRFC were winners!
The Salutation Hotel was packed on Friday 27th May when players, members, supporters, coaches and parents from across Perthshire Rugby came together to celebrate the end of the 2021-22 season and find out who had won in each of the award categories.
Club Captain Ewan “Macca” MacKessack-Leitch hosted the evening and after a brief welcome, game of Heads & Tails and toast to the Club the meal was served and everyone was ready for a night of pride, laughter, cheers, singing and lots of applause.
Kicking the awards off, Ben Cameron won the Colts’ Player of the Year, an exciting player the whole year he made an impact too at the end of the season playing for the 2XV. Next up Aidan Watson collected Young Player of the Year after a season of consistently good performances in the backline. Then the Most Improved Player awards for the Men went to Rhys Darlington, in the year he has broken through from the 2XV into the 1XV, and for the Women, Lynn Robertson continued to impress the coaches with her progress picking this award up for the second time.
For 2XV Player of the Year, Arran Sheach got the nod gaining this award for stepping up to the role of Captain in the latter stages of the league and helping inspire the team to a winning streak at the end. The players cast their votes for the next award, Iona Coutts, receiving the Women’s Players’ Player of the Year Award; this bodes well for her taking on the role as Head Coach next season. In what was a very close vote, Angus Walker topped the poll for Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.
The Coach of the Year Award was new this season. Inaugurated to recognise excellence amongst coaches within the Club, this was won by Graham Binnie for his roles both in the U16 Girls, establishing the team and winning silverware at Murrayfield, and with the U14 Boys.
After the Women’s Season Review, Campbell Watson was presented with a Special Recognition Award from the Club to thank him for all the work he has done to re-establish the Women’s team and build them up to competitive fixtures again, in addition to all the coaching he has provided over many years in the Midi and now Senior teams.
With the return to competitive season some teams in Perthshire have stood out. Mini Team of the year was won by the ever improving and exciting P6s who always demonstrate Perthshire values. The Team of the Year went to U15 Boys who have grown up and developed as players & a team to become runners-up in the Caledonia Youth Cup Final.
Now it was time for the Player of the Year awards. In the Women’s Section this went to Heather McKenzie as she has put her all into the matches played and taken on board what the coaches have said to get better & better. In the 1XV Angus Walker, “made it a double,” adding Player of the Year to the Players’ Player he won earlier. The coaches were in agreement, Angus’ dedication and hard work at training, S&C, in the gym and on matchdays made him stand out; performances have only got better and opposition now hate to play against him.
Next in a surprise, the U16 Girls were presented with a Special Recognition Award from the Club to commend them for their performance as part of the Tayside Girls team that contested 2 finals and winning the U16 Girl’s National Shield. Coach Graham Binnie, collecting on behalf of the team, cannot wait to present the players with the trophy as he was so proud of the efforts they had made and success gained this year.
Finally the last award of the night Club Person of the Year, in a twist he didn’t see coming, was awarded to Ewan “MacKer” MacKessack-Leitch. This was the popular choice all in the room standing to applaud in recognition of the COVID-19 protocols, gumshields for senior players, match reports, leadership on & off the pitch and showing the best of Perthshire values: Sportsmanship, Pride, Respect and Inclusion.
The night ended on a high with new appointed Director of Rugby Graham “Smudge” Smith introduced to the Club and having a few minutes to described his excitement and positive vision for a growing and ever successful Perthshire Rugby Club.
That was it! What a night, congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Thank you to all Perthshire players, coaches, parents, volunteers, supporters & members who have been with us this season; we restarted and played rugby again with smiles on our faces and pride in our hearts! Onwards to better things in a few months’ time when preseason 2022-23 begins.
Full List of Award Winners:
Senior Section
Colts’ Player of the Year: Ben Cameron
Young Player of the Year: Aidan Watson
Most Improved Player: Rhys Darlington
2XV Player of the Year: Arran Sheach
Players’ Player of the Year: Angus Walker
Player of the Year: Angus Walker
Women’s Section
Most Improved Player: Lynn Robertson
Players’ Player of the Year: Iona Coutts
Player of the Year: Heather McKenzie
Whole Club
Special Recognition Awards: Campbell Watson; U16 Girls.
Coach of the Year: Graham Binnie
Mini Team of the Year: P6
Team of the Year: U15 Boys
Club Person of the Year: Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
