Pirates women celebrate 2018 Opal successes

January 11th, 2019

Friday 4 January saw the Pirates women’s flag team get together at The Raven in Glasgow to celebrate their successes in the 2018 Opal women’s flag campaign.

Six main awards were handed out by the coaching staff, recognising the top players on both sides of the ball, as well as a number of smaller awards. Carla Costa took the top award of Player of the Year, which was collected on her behalf by Kerry McLaughlin. Meanwhile Aynsley Barclay added to her already impressive number of awards as a Pirates women’s player by collecting Players’ Player of the Year – the award voted on by her team mates – for the third year running for Opal Series awards.

The awards also saw the ‘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. Clare Dynes, who is part of the team’s organising committee was the latest recipient.

Rebecca Gibson, 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:

Most improved Player of the Year – Katy Meina
Rookie of the Year – Rebecca Miller
Offensive Player of the Year – Louise Donnelly
Defensive Player of the Year – Robyn McCluskey
Player of the Year – Carla Costa
Players’ Player of the Year – Aynsley Barclay
Passion of a Pirate award – Clare Dynes
Play of the Year – Robyn McCluskey

‘Keen the day’ – Kerry McLaughlin and Katy Meina
Unsung heroes – Callum Bell and Clare Dynes
Offield – Paige Cawley
100% attendance winners – Rebecca Gibson, Robyn McCluskey and Aynsley Barclay

“This was another great event hosted by Head Coach Alan Young and it was fantastic to see everyone together celebrating another strong women’s flag season where we finished as Northern Champions” said Pirates chairman Amanda McDonald.  “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Our women’s flag team now have a number of additional tournaments planned, before the next Opal season starts later in the year.”

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