Annual Awards Dinner

Written by Marieke Vink

Saturday, 26 May 2007

The Old Leamingtonians Annual Awards Dinner 2007 was held at the club on Friday 25th May. In the most succesful year since 1999, there was a lot to celebrate and awards were handed out for a variety of achievements. After speeches by Captain Christie Honor, Captain-Elect Danni Benge and departing coach Tim Burden, the time was there fore awards. Chairwoman Jane Daniel started with some thank yous to Kelly McLeod who is leaving Old Leamingtonians and Christie Honor who is stepping down as Captain. Then Tim Burden got his present and the gratitude of the team for his help in the past 3 years. Pictures of the night can be seen in the photogallery soon! The award ceremony started with the Amesy Award.It wentto Jackie Meade fora variety of reasons. She got sick before tour, she nearly missed the plane, she bashed her head a few times, got really drunk etc. At the end of the night, Jackie was the first person in 20 years who managed to lose half ofthe trophy. A worthy winner! Back of the Year went to Claire Penna. Claire is the only OLs player ever to win Best Forward and Best Back in her carreer. Claire switched from her native Hooker/Flanker to Scrum Halfand really made the position her own. Best Forward went to Janine McComiskey.  She has been with the club for more than 10 years but player her best season ever this year, playing a vital role in claiming the league title. Scoring tries, supporting the backs, putting younger players to shame with her speed. The Fiona Rose Shield for Most Improved Player went to Celina Bennett. Shemoved from the wing to full back and has made immense progress in that position this year. Her tactical insight has improved, her positioning has improved,her handling skills have improved and her confidence has grown. The Bungy Trophy (Coach's Award) went to Gemma Honor. Her determination and the way she applied herselfto the game has won her the admiration of the coach and players alike. The last officialaward of the evening was the inaugural Players' Player. Christie Honor has donated this trophy as an award voted for by the team. Players' Player can go to anyone who, according to the team is the best, most valuable, fastest, nicestor what everother reason people have playerof the season. True to the spirit of the award, peoplenominated players for a wide variety of reasons:Hard work, dedication, motivation, supportive,skill etc. In the end, the award had a worthy first winner in Janine McComiskey. She got the vote forreasons such as: Supportive of new players, awsome season this year and dedicated to the game. The official part of the night ended with chairman Dave Brooker giving all the players a medal for winning wMidlands 2 League this year. The Unofficial part of the evening went on until about 5am!! Hopefully we will have another celebration like it next year!!

 

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