News Article | 8th April 2010 » End of Season 2009-10 - Player Awards

Presentation Night - 7th April 2010

"Sheffield Scimitars held their annual Player Awards ceremony last night to a packed house at Davy Sports and Social Club in Darnall. With 11 awards up for grabs there was plenty of anticipation, especially to see who would lift the top two awards, Coach's Player of the Year and the coveted Players' Player of the Year. It was also the last time for the Scims supporters to chat to players who might not be returning to the Club so it was an emotional and eventful night.

First up was the Coach's Award, presented to Head Coach and Director of Hockey Head Coach. In his rookie season in the EPL Head Coach has excelled, gaining quite a reputation for his players and team's ability to win games that on paper they have no right to win. Scims' Director Ian Johnson led the tribute to Head Coach who was delighted to receive his award, he said afterwards "For sure it's been a tough year but I have learned so much and I am grateful for the chance the Club has presented to me. I've said before we have a long way to go and I hope to continue the work already done." Mr Johnson confirmed the Club's offer of a head coaching role for Head Coach for the 2010/11 season, which was well received by the supporters.

Next up came the awards for the players with a number of surprises being greeted with delight by the supporters. Much has been said about the young players none more so than rookie netminder Ben Bowns whose efforts between the pipes have confounded most of the leagues big guns this past season. Bowns received the Supporters' Club Awards for Player of the Season and Away Supporters Player of the Season. This was a big shot in the arm for Bowns who had been under considerable pressure with the lack of back-up, especially in the big games leading up to the return to fitness of long time injured Paul Jones.

The attention to youth continued with Young Player of the Season, Lewis Bell and Most Improved Player, Arran Strawson. Theses awards selected by The Head Coach demonstrate the club's commitment to home-grown talent and both players have demonstrated their credentials fully while wearing the Club colours these past eight months.

But it was not all about youth and the awards for Defencman of the Season and Forward of the Season were given to two players whose work rate, determination and commitment have underpinned the whole of the 2009/10 season. Defenseman went to Lee Haywood and Forward to James Archer.

Next up was the Top Points Accumulator and this was awarded to Matt Haywood for recording 63 points.

A new award was introduced for this season "The Presidents Player" which was awarded to Stuart Brittle for his long service to the Club by Club president Martin Birch.

The Club Most Valuable Player was another tough decision for the Coach and Directors, in the end Mark Stewart was singled out to receive the award for his contribution to the team but recognition for Peter Slamiar was also given in what might prove to be his last season with the Scimitars.

The final two awards were met with much anticipation, first of the two big ones was Coaches PLayer of the Season. Head Coach said his decision was easy, in his rookie season this player had shown the league that he was by far the best netminder in the league, the award went to Ben Bowns.

The final award Players Player of the Season was the biggest award of the night and the one that players will hold in the highest regard as it is awarded to the player who receives the most votes from his team mates. This year the Players Player was Matt Haywood.

Having presented the players awards, the Directors then presented awards to the army of volunteers who give up their free time in service to the Club. Gary Apsley paid tribute to all of the people who support the on-ice and off-ice efforts to ensure that the Scimitars match night experience is as good as it can be. The Roll of Honour is:

Shirley Packwood, Andy Barton, Steve Packwood, Rakhi Darne, Ann Liptrott, Hilary Jones, Lynne & Mike Austin, Sue & Paul Cooper and Mark Duell who received an award on behalf of all of the goal judges, time keepers, penalty box judges and concourse staff who turn up and do their job tirelessly week-in and week-out. "

Coach's Player of the Year - Ben Bowns
MVP - Mark Stewart
Best Forward - James Archer
Best Defenceman - Lee Haywood
Top Points - Matt Haywood
Most Improved Player - Arran Strawson
Young Player of the Season - Lewis Bell
Players' Player - Matt Haywood
President's Player - Stuart Brittle - awarded by Martin Birch

Supporters Club Awards:
Player of the Year & Away Player of the Year: Ben Bowns

Next News Article: Bowns is Back at the Scimitars
27th April 2010
Previous News Article: PRESENTATION NIGHT - Wednesday 7th April 2010
6th April 2010

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