Travis Howell named the first team Player of the Season
Strong winger Brandon Swart was acknowledged for scoring the most tries in the campaign.
Boksburg Rugby Club long-serving front-rower Travis Howell was named the first team Player of the Season during the club’s end-of-year awards ceremony held at Prince George Park on the evening of October 26.
Howell was also one of four first team stalwarts who were awarded the prestigious black jacket, which players receive for playing for the first team for seven years straight without a break or 10 years with a break/s.
The other three loyal servants are lock Willem Botes Jnr, versatile back Dirkie Burger and loose forward Danie Schultz.
Elsewhere, first team captain Johan Labuschagne was named the Players’ Player of the Year, which is voted for by his fellow squad members.
Howell, who is also the oldest player in the Owls squad and has hinted that the 2020 campaign will be his last, said the following of his crowning: “This award means a lot to me, from being junior Player of the Season in 2003, my goal was to get senior Player of the Season.
“Being the oldest player in the first team wasn’t easy. I had to work harder and with age, I became smarter on the field. Only problem is recovery time takes a lot longer compared to my younger days,” said the former Owls captain.
The front-row forward made his first team debut back in 2004 and has been a consistent presence in the Prince George Park locker room for 16 years straight.
This specific accolade is his first as a first team player.
“I’ve eventually got the Player of the Season accolade, now I can retire happy.”
Blockbusting midfielder and rugby league star Damian Diedericks was named the first team Backline Player of the Season while Jason Stoltz scooped the first team Forwards Player of the Season.
Other awards are voted for by coaches.
Other winners:
U-21: Player of the Year – Carle Grung. Most loyal player – Jacques Potgieter. Most tries – Kelebogile Lemotlo. Most points – Kelebogile Lemotlo
Second team: Player of the Year – André de Klerk. Most Accomplished Player of the Year – Karabo Mashiloane.
First team: Most Loyal Player of the Year – Danie Schultz. Most Points in the Year – Henry Pike. Chairman’s Award: Personality of the Year – Alwyn Rossouw
