Celebration of Perthshire Rugby in 2022-23

Record attendance at Club Annual Awards Night!

The Salutation Hotel was packed on Friday 26th May when players, members, supporters, coaches and parents from across Perthshire Rugby came together to celebrate the end of the 2022-23 season and find out who had won in each of the award categories. With 132 tickets sold this was the largest dinner in memory!

Outgoing Club Captain Ewan “Macca” MacKessack-Leitch hosted the evening and after a brief welcome; look at the trophies won during the season by teams from across the Club; and a game of “Play Your Cards Right” run by the incoming Club Captain Rhys Darlington (despite some dodgy shuffling); the meal was served and everyone was ready for a night of pride, laughter, cheers and applause.

Kicking the awards off, Cameron Craig won the Colts’ Player of the Year. Despite injury, he was a constant at training and support for his teammates, rugby is more than just 80 minutes put on the pitch. Then in for the first time the U18 Girls’ Player of the Year was awarded, Anna Lily Suttie a deserving winner amongst strong competition from her teammates. Next up, Tom Colvin collected Young Player of the Year after a determined season commuting from Edinburgh and working on his skillset.

Then the Most Improved Player awards for the Women went to Katie Bromley who took up the sport this year, became a crucial component of the lineout and has excelled generally; and for the Men, Simon McGarry impressed the coaches with his progress and growth into a true leader on the pitch, after making the switch into the back row. Veteran Angus Macpherson got the nod for 2XV Player of the Year as a stalwart leader and continuing to put in performances belying his years.

The players cast their votes for the next award, Anna Davies, received the Women’s Players’ Player of the Year Award; recognising her drive to get the best of out her teammates around her. While James Mair topped the poll for Mens’ Players’ Player of the Year, after dogged and determined performances throughout the season.

The Coach of the Year Award was won by Chris Ayres, Head Coach of the U16 Boys, who has really driven his team forward over many years spanning Mini & Midi sections including winning the Saltire Energy Caledonia Shield this season.

Mini Team of the year was won by the ever improving and exciting U10s who always demonstrate Perthshire values. The Team of the Year went to U18 Girls in recognition of their victory in the National Shield Final at Murrayfield and the number of players who were selected for the U18 Scotland Squad.

The Women’s season review was then delivered by Co-Captains Heather McKenzie & Alex Ward; telling the story of how they surprised all expectation to reach the National Bowl Final. Head Coach Iona Coutts next presented the Women’s Player of the Year trophy to Alex Ward who has had a phenomenal season.

James Mair was then named 1XV Player for the Year, very well deserved for an unrelenting season where he took over as Captain by the end and led from the front in tackle and try count!

Alan Clark, in his final act as Head Coach, reviewed the past year and his record at Perthshire over 9 years: covering the good & the bad and also giving some advice for other coaches. As a thank you from his players, he was presented with a bottle of single malt and card & ball signed by numerous players past & present.

Finally, the last award of the night Club Person of the Year was awarded to Lynn Robertson. She was part of the Women’s squad that made it all the way to Murrayfield and has put in a huge shift with the EagleEye magazine – when deadlines were tight or edits needed she got them done.

As well as Alan Clark standing down, long time Team Manager Mark Coupar, is also leaving the Senior Section. His has been a long shift in various roles at Perthshire, in recognition of this, at the AGM the night before he was elected an Honorary Life Member of Perthshire RFC.

Thank you to all Perthshire players, coaches, parents, volunteers, supporters & members who have been with us this season; the night demonstrated what it is about Perthshire Rugby that makes it such a special club to be part of!

Full List of Award Winners:

Men’s Section
Colts’ Player of the Year: Cameron Craig
Young Player of the Year: Tom Colvin
Most Improved Player: Simon McGarry
2XV Player of the Year: Angus Macpherson
Players’ Player of the Year: James Mair
Player of the Year: James Mair

Women’s Section
U18 Girls’ Player of the Year: Anna Lily Suttie
Most Improved Player: Katie Bromley
Players’ Player of the Year: Anna Davies
Player of the Year: Alex Ward

Whole Club
Coach of the Year: Chris Ayres
Mini Team of the Year: U10s
Team of the Year: U18 Girls
Club Person of the Year: Lynn Robertson

Photographs by Rach Cameron.