Brits and Youngs top players' vote for RPA Awards
Schalk Brits said: ““This is a fantastic and very unexpected honour, and I’m proud and humbled to receive this award. To be rated by your peers is the greatest compliment that one could receive, and that is what makes receiving this award so unbelievable.
“The last twelve months since I arrived in the UK have been absolutely phenomenal on and off the pitch and now having this to add to everything else is very special indeed.
“I’ve loved playing for Saracens, playing in the Premiership and the progress that we have made together as a club this year has been incredibly rewarding. There's something special happening at Saracens and I am happy to be part of it. Now we have one more game to play, and we are looking forward to giving it our all in the final on Saturday. Winning the final would obviously end the season on the ultimate high.
“I would like to thank everybody who has contributed to making this an unforgettable season.”
The Norman Broadbent Young Player of the Year Award was awarded to Leicester Tigers’ Ben Youngs. A scintillating season for the scrum half has included his England debut and a central role in Leicester’s progress to the Guinness Premiership Final this Saturday.
Youngs was voted for by the players ahead of Chris Ashton and Courtney Lawes, both of Northampton Saints,
Ben Youngs said:"Since the start of this season things have just got better and better for me, better than I could ever have hoped for, and to receive this award on top of all that is a massive honour and a privilege. I owe a great debt to everyone who has supported me this season, it has been a massive learning curve and I can’t thank enough the coaches, team and support staff at Leicester, and of course my family, for all their advice and support in the last year.
“Tigers have one more big day this season, at Twickenham on Saturday. Defending our Premiership title is something the whole squad have worked very hard for throughout the season, and we will be giving everything we have on Saturday to retain that title. To win that on top of this award would be the perfect way to end the season.”
Damian Hopley, CEO of the RPA said:“My congratulations go to all the nominees and winners tonight, but particularly to Schalk and Ben, who have been outstanding for their clubs throughout this season. We were delighted to see so many players and supporters of the RPA attending the dinner, not only to recognise the outstanding talent within the English game, but also to help raise much needed funds for the RPA Benevolent Fund, The Players’ Charity.”
Others recognised on the night were Simon Shaw, who won the Special Merit Award sponsored by LV= Asset Management for his incredible contribution to the game, and Bill McLaren, who was posthumously inducted into the RPA HSBC Hall of Fame.
Andy Ripley received the Blyth Spirit Award sponsored by Towergate tlc, a special presentation from the RPA members for outstanding courage in the face of adversity.
Ripley, a Corinthian England International of the 1970s, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2005. Since his diagnosis, he has worked closely with The Prostate Cancer Charity, using his media profile to raise awareness of the disease and encourage men to get tested as a preventative measure. After three years in remission, his cancer returned in 2008, but he has continued to fight the disease in his own, unmistakable and inspiring fashion.
John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity said: "We are delighted that the Rugby Players' Association has honoured Andy Ripley with this award. Andy is an extraordinary man and his huge contribution to our work in raising awareness of prostate cancer is immeasurable.
"Andy has touched the lives of so many people including all our staff and supporters across the UK. His positivity, love of life, humour and immense kindness has helped so many men and their families have hope as they face this debilitating disease and he continues to do this in spite of his own battle with prostate cancer.
"It is not always easy to talk about prostate cancer and it is testament to Andy's courage and honesty that rugby players, clubs and rugby organisations now want to work with The Prostate Cancer Charity to help us find better treatments and one day, we hope, a cure. Congratulations, Andy, for this very special award and thank you for all that you do and all that you are."
RPA Computacenter Rugby Players’ Awards 2010
Computacenter Players’ Player of the Year
- Schalk Brits, Saracens
- Soane Tonga’Uiha, Northampton Saints
- Ben Foden, Northampton Saints
Norman Broadbent Young Player of the Year – The Nick Duncombe Memorial Award
- Ben Youngs, Leicester Tigers
- Chris Ashton, Northampton Saints
- Courtney Lawes, Northampton Saints
Special Merit Award, sponsored by LV= Asset Management
Simon Shaw MBE
HSBC Hall of Fame Induction
Bill McLaren CBE
The Blyth Spirit Award sponsored by Towergate tlc
Andy Ripley OBE
Sunday Times Try of the Year
- Chris Ashton: Leicester v Northampton Saints: 31st October 2009
- Andy Saull: Saracens v Harlequins: 17th April 2010
- Joe Maddock: London Wasps v Bath Rugby: 24th April 2010
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