Pirates celebrate Opal successes

January 7th, 2018

Friday 5 January saw the Pirates women’s flag team gather together at The Raven in Glasgow to celebrate their successes in the 2017 Opal women’s flag campaign.

Six awards were handed out by the coaching staff, recognising the top players on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Aynsley Barclay added to her already impressive number of awards as a Pirates women’s player by collecting both Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year – the award voted on by her team mates.

The awards also saw a new ‘Passion of a Pirate’ award handed out by Alan Young, women’s flag head coach, to the player who had given their all for the team both on and off the field. Heather Spurling McGowan, one of the founding members of the women’s flag team, was the first recipient.

A play of the year award voted on for by the players was also handed out to Robyn McCluskey and Louise Donnelly. Clare Dynes, Robyn McCluskey and Aynsley Barclay, who had each clocked up an impressive 100% attendance at all team practices, meetings and events, were also rewarded with special t-shirts for their dedication.

The winners were in full were:

Play of the Year – Robyn McCluskey and Louise Donnelly
Most improved Player of the Year – Jem McAdam
Rookie of the Year – Kerry McLaughlin
Offensive Player of the Year – Louise Donnelly
Defensive Player of the Year  – Carla Costa
Player of the Year – Aynsley Barclay
Players’ Player of the Year – Aynsley Barclay
Passion of a Pirate award – Heather Spurling McGowan
100% attendance t- winners – Clare Dynes, Robyn McCluskey and Aynsley Barclay

“This was a great event and it was fantastic to see everyone together celebrating our best flag season so far,” said Pirates chairman Amanda McDonald.  “Congratulations to all the winners. Our women’s flag team now have a number of additional tournaments planned, including some European competitions, before the next Opal season starts later in the year.”

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