Championship and League 1 Awards: Round Up

The Championship and League 1 Awards took place last night, so here’s a round up of who won what…

Championship:

Player of the Year – Gareth O’Brien (Toronto Wolfpack)

O’Brien beat teammates Jon Wilkin and Andy Ackers to the award. He’s featured in all but one of the Wolfpack’s 27 games this year, racking up a quarter of their total points.

Coach of the Year – James Ford (York City Knights)

Ford capped off a successful year with the Knights by picking up ‘Coach of the Year’ ahead of Toronto’s Brian McDermott and Sheffield’s Mark Aston. Ford led his side to a surprise third-place finish despite only being promoted from League 1 at the start of the season.

Young Player of the Year – Matty Ashton (Swinton Lions)

The Warrington-bound outside back has been one of the finds of the season. Signed from amateur club Rochdale Mayfield, the 21-year-old scored 30 tries in 25 games this season, and subsequently beat off competition from Widnes’ Keanan Brand and Leigh’s Joe Cator for this award.

Club of the Year – York City Knights

The Knights were rewarded for their efforts in 2019, where they finished in third place in their first season back in the Championship.

League 1:

Player of the Year – Dion Aiye (Whitehaven RLFC)

The Papua New Guinea international has become a cult hero in Cumbria, leading ‘Haven to the League 1 title this season. Other nominees were his teammate Marc Shackley, Oldham back rower Danny Langtree and Newcastle halfback Nick Newman.

Coach of the Year – Gary Charlton (Whitehaven RLFC)

Few people gave Whitehaven a chance of earning promotion this year, but Gary Charlton wasn’t one of them. He led the club to win 15 of their 20 games and will hope to push on in the Championship in 2020. He beat Oldham’s Scott Naylor and North Wales’ Anthony Murray to this award.

Young Player of the Year – Andrew Bulman (Whitehaven RLFC)

General:

Foundation of the Year – Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle were rewarded for their outstanding work in the community and for their efforts in growing the sport in the north-east. Also nominated were Leigh, Halifax and York.

FSA Community Champion of the Year – Liz Hindley

Special Presentations – Mickey Higham and Oliver Wilkes (both retiring)