Ellis Park played host to the annual glittering Golden Lions Rugby Union Player Awards event on Tuesday, December 3, where several individuals were acknowledged for their 2013 performances and achievements.
In the u.19 age group, Malcolm Marx walked away with the u.19 Forward of the Year award, while Koch Marx was named the u.19 Backline Player of the Year. Cyle Brink walked away with the 2013 u.19 Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, in the u.21 age group, Steph de Wit was announced as the u.21 Forward Player of the Year, flyhalf Marais Schmidt was named u.21 Backline Player of the Year and Ruaan Lerm shone as the overall u.21 Player of the Year.
The Senior Awards were dominated by forwards with prop Jacques van Rooyen walking away with the Most Improved Player of the Year award and loose forward Jaco Kriel named the Players’ Player of the Year. Currie Cup captain Derick Minnie took home the Forward Player of the Year award, and was also acknowledged for the 50 Golden Lions caps milestone he achieved in 2013.
Loose forward Willie Britz was awarded the inaugural Supporters’ Player of the Year Award, after over 2 000 votes were cast by fans via the GLRU website.
Lightning fast winger Anthony Volmink walked away with the Senior Backline Player of the Year award.
Finally, lock Franco van der Merwe stole the show as he went on to win the 2013 Player of the Year award. Van der Merwe was also acknowledged after he made his Springbok debut in 2013 and was awarded a commemorative GLRU blazer after celebrating 100 caps for the Golden Lions in October.
The full list of award winners is as follows:
U.19 Forward Player of the Year
Malcolm Marx
U.19 Backline Player of the Year
Koch Marx
U.19 Player of the Year
Cyle Brink
U.21 Forward Player of the Year
Steph de Wit
U.21 Backline Player of the Year
Marais Schmidt
U.21 Player of the Year
Ruaan Lerm
Senior Most Improved Player of the Year
Jacques van Rooyen
Senior Players’ Player of the Year
Jaco Kriel
Senior Supporters’ Player of the Year
Willie Britz
Senior Forward Player of the Year
Derick Minnie
Senior Backline Player of the Year
Anthony Volmink
Senior Player of the Year
Franco van der Merwe
