On Saturday, the society held its annual awards dinner at The Star, a pub owned by former referee Nick ‘Tonka’ Williams, near Sidcot. Members and their guests enjoyed a delightful three-course meal before the season awards were presented. The event was further highlighted by a captivating speech from former England International Darren Crompton, who truly wowed the audience.
This season, the society decided to forgo the traditional formal awards dinner and instead headed to the pub for some well-deserved drinks and fantastic food. To show our appreciation for Tonka’s hospitality, we awarded him the society tie. We are confident he will enjoy wearing it with his collection of Hawaiian shirts and flip flops!
The main highlight of the event unfolded after dinner, with numerous awards presented to various members. Alongside the usual accolades, the prestigious Bell Trophy, awarded to the most hospitable club, was proudly accepted by Gary Carpenter and Chris Heath from Weston Super Mare RFC. Additionally, we took the opportunity to acknowledge members who have achieved Life Membership status. In the past, these members had not received any formal recognition for this significant honour, so we were delighted to present them with certificates to mark their esteemed status. Overall, it was a memorable evening celebrating the dedication and achievements of our remarkable members.
The evening concluded with a remarkable speech by the one-cap wonder, Darren Crompton. Darren, well-known in the area, had an illustrious career playing for both local sides Bath and Bristol. Additionally, he coaches his local Regional 2 side, Weston Super Mare. As a prop, Darren was recognized for his versatility in playing both sides of the scrum and for his gentle approach to the game.
2024/25 Award Winners
Referee of the Year: Ben Branson
Academy Referee of the Year: Sarah McClelland
Most Improved Referee: Simon Jones
Member of the Year: Alan Bell
Jenny O’Connell Award: Mel Hillman
The Bell Trophy: Weston Super Mare RFC
