Marist Albion RFC

Although the 2021 junior rugby season ended abruptly, we consider ourselves fortunate that this year COVID did not have an impact on the season until the very end. Junior prizegiving was again a Covid casualty, but the junior committee has continued to do great work behind the scenes to ensure that we still had certificates, medals, photos, leavers bags and trophies to get to players when lockdown restrictions were lifted. Each team has acknowledged their own achievements for the 2021 season holding their own mini prizegivings.

This season we have shaped our awards differently to better reflect the changing environment in junior sport. As a junior club we strongly support the Balance is Better philosophy to support quality sport experiences for all young people, regardless of ability, needs and motivations. This is designed to ensure maximum participation and increase long-term engagement and retention. All of our Under 6 Rippa players were presented with a certificate to acknowledge their participation and positive attitudes this season. All of our Under 7 Rippa players were awarded with a club medal to acknowledge their individual growth as Rippa players, commitment to their teams and positive attitudes. These players move into the tackle grades next season.

Special mention this season must go to the Tony Wells Junior Club Trophy award recepient Brendon Feary. Brendon has given 7 years of service to the junior club as a junior coach and additionally 6 years of service as a committee member in the Junior Club Captain role. Brendon is leaving the club at the end of this season as his youngest son moves onto high school. Brendon deserved all the fanfare and accolades that would have been bestowed upon him at this year’s prizegiving in recognition of the tireless work he does behind the scenes. Brendon, you will be greatly missed and we wish you, Patrice and the boys all the best for the future.

We also wish all our junior players who have come to the end of their time with the junior club all the best for the future. We will continue to follow your progress through secondary school and hope to see you back in green and white in the years to come.

We extend our congratulations to all who received awards this season. Prizes were awarded in each category as follows:

Team Awards 

Under 8 Black

Player of the Year

Lukas Smith

Tackler of the Year

James McLaughlin

Team Player of the Year

Austin Golding

Under 8 Green

Best Attacker

Benji Kearns

Best Defender

Albie Wheeler

Most Improved Player

Malachi Hillier-Arnold

Under 9

Player of the Year

Rocco Blair

Tackler of the Year

Rocco Switalla

Team Player of the Year

William Thornley

Under 10

Most Improved Player

Liam Edmonds-Howse

Team Player of the Year

Jess Willetts

Most Valuable Player

Xander Milne

Under 11 Green

Outstanding All-Rounder

Grady Steel

Outstanding Team Player

Ronan McCormick

Most Improved Player

Oliver Alcantara Santos

Under 11 Black

Most Improved Player

William Baxter

Best Team Player

Jacob Golding

Best Effort of the Season

Lachie Walsh

Under 12

Most Valuable Player

Kaden Roberts

Back of the Year

Tom Kreft

Forward of the Year

Cameron Gane

Under 13

Most Valuable Player

Austen Norris

Back of the Year

Quinn Feek

Forward of the Year

Flynn Bainbridge

Club Awards

Team of the Year Non-Competition

Under 8 Green

Coach of the Year Non-Competition

Stu Thornley

Player of the Year Non-Competition

Bryce Hooper

Team of the Year Competition

Under 11 Black

Tony Wells Junior Club Trophy

Brendon Feary

Coach of the Year - Competition

Mike Richards and Pete Chaplin

Outstanding Player of the Year - Competition

Austen Norris

Article added: Tuesday 12 October 2021