Volunteers rewarded

Players, volunteers, committee, friends and families all gathered in Rochdale to recognise the achievement of individual players and volunteers over the past 12 months in the Rochdale and District Awards

Players, volunteers, committee, friends and families all gathered in Rochdale on Sunday (24 November) to recognise the achievement of individual players and volunteers over the past 12 months in the Rochdale and District Awards. 

Ben Bird, Rochdale Cobras was awarded Volunteer of the Year for his work in establishing the mini section at Cobras and also helping to coordinate the link between the junior and senior sections.

The Team of the Year accolage was awarded to Hollingworth High School, in recognition of there hatrick of National Girls Schools Championship.

Bury Broncos were double award winners as Blake Roberts scooped young player of the year award, after scroing 30 tries in 12 appearences after signing from Bury Rugby Union. The club were also recognised for fielding teams at under 9, 11, 13 and 15s as well as a new second open age team, with the Club of the Year Award.

Eric Johnson finished second in the online Player of the Year Award but scored highly with the judges which led to him taking the Player of the Year Award for his tough no nonesense approach in the national conference league with Mayfield and for the Rochdale and District Town Team.

Current Cobras and Ireland A coach Ged Corcaran was recognised as coach of the year, recognising the hard work he has put in to drive up the professionalism at Rochdale Cobras.

The final award of the afternoon, the Outstanding Achievement Award, was presented to David Heaton and Trevor Haigh, who have served the Rochdale and District Amateur Rugby League for over 50 years between them.

Talk then moved onto discussions for the 2013 season, as the fixtures for the Rochdale and District Charity Cup were revealed, and the announcemnt that Rochdale Hornets had again accepted the invitation to play the Rochdale and District Town Team early in the New Year.