Jack Welsby was named Player of the Season at St.Helens' annual End of Season Awards proudly sponsored by Totally Wicked, with the Saints' star full-back also walking away with the Try of the Year, as the storied career of James Roby was also celebrated with the captain receiving the Chairman's Award.
James Bell was also a big winner on the night, picking up a double with the Players’ Player and Members’ Player of the Season accolades,
The wonderful night was held in the 1873 Lounge at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Tuesday, 17th October, with First Team players and staff joined by our Club Partners and Sponsors. Supporters were kept updated on all the winner during the night across the Saints’ Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram channels.
2023 was another memorable season for the Saints the Club’s 150th anniversary year, with the historic World Club Challenge victory in Australia beginning the season. Stalwarts James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook both gave their all once again in their final seasons. Whilst looking to the future, our Under 18’s Academy became Champions in a brilliant campaign which finished with a home Grand Final victory.
Here is a summary of the night, with the proud winners below:
Club Wellbeing Ambassador
Presented by the Saints’ Chaplain & Wellbeing Manager Paul Johnson, Joe Batchelor is a hugely positive influence around the Club as one of our leaders. Batch’s community involvement has seen him go above and beyond what is expected or requested by the Club, showcased by, off his own back, being involved with our Foundation’s LDRL programme. Joe has flourished in all aspects of wellbeing and been a strong leader in encouraging others to follow his example.
Club Academic Achiever
Also presented by Paul Johnson, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook received this award in recognition of all of his preparation ahead of commencing a career in the Fire Service. When it comes to preparing for post-rugby life and academic provision, this can be mistakenly be referred to as just working towards gaining a degree, but there are other avenues that the Club encourages too, as Louie has demonstrated, managing his time and mental capacity perfectly well.
Thank you to our departing Saints
To all our Saints embarking on their next chapters, thank you, good luck, and remember that ‘Once A Saint, Always A Saint’.
Under 16’s Player of the Season
The Saints Scholarship enjoyed a strong 2023 season, winning six matches, drawing once and only losing one match in the year. A group of fourteen players were announced and photographed in front of a packed out West Stand at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
After an outstanding year, Billy Keeley was chosen as the Saints’ Under 16’s Scholarship Player of the Season. Keeley joined the Red V from West Bank Bears and has progressed to join the Club’s Academy ranks from the 2024 season!
Under 18’s Players of the Season
The Saints Academy become 2023 Academy Champions in 2023, losing just one match all year and earning a home Semi-Final and Grand Final by finishing top of the table at the end of the tegular season.
Ciaran Nolan & Leon Cowen have both conducted themselves in a remarkable manner in 2023, showing not only skill on the field but exceptional leadership off it too, and together share the St.Helens Under 18’s Player of the Season Award in 2023!
Reserves Player of the Season
Our Reserves side enjoyed a strong season, making it all the way to the Reserves Grand Final, and Brett Bailey has proved himself to be one of the most fearsome forwards in the competition in 2023. His runs scattering defences, creating line breaks, or scores, but he has also shown solid defence of his own too – earning him the 2023 Reserves Player of the Season Award.
Young Player of the Season
It has been a breakthrough campaign for George Delaney, who after not travelling with the squad Down Under knuckled down and took an opportunity to play for Swinton Lions on loan where he impressed and earned Player of the Match honours. Injuries and suspensions opened up the chance to feature more than expected in the senior Saints squad, and Saint George has not taken a backwards step – featuring 20 times in 2023, often starting, and playing in a fashion beyond what is expected of a 19-year-old.
Delaney picks up the 2023 Young Player of the Season Award, just over twelve months on from being named the 2022 Academy Player of the Season.
Members’ Player of the Year
Chosen by our fantastic 2023 Members, James Bell has given his all in every match he’s played in during 2023 – missing just two games all year. Belly’s relentless defensive efforts and line speed, combined with his ability to move the ball around have made him even more of a fans’ favourite.
Try of the Season (sponsored by Uber Eats)
St. Helens have scored 126 tries in the 2023 season, many of them memorable but the vote for the top pick was selected from just four of the best picks from the Tries of the Month (sponsored by Uber Eats).
Saints fans made their choice, and the winner was the opening points of the World Club Challenge, scored by Jack Welsby against Penrith Panthers. A vital score as the Red V went on to win their third World Championship, the first ever by a Super League club in Australia in the summer era of the sport!
This Is Saints Award
First introduced in 2022, the This Is Saints Award is an accolade in recognition of the efforts areas and one-percent-ers that may go unnoticed. Jonny Lomax has had yet another influential year, leading in the middle of the field and is the 2023 recipient.
Players’ Player of the Season
One of the most sought after prizes, given it is chosen by your peers. The Saints’ Players’ Player of the Season was awarded to James Bell!
Beloved by his fellow Saints and locked in for a further two years, Bell’s efforts have seen him justly rewarded picking up two trophies at the End of Season Awards.
Player of the Season
- Man of Steel shortlisted nominee for the second year running
- Player of the Match in the World Club Challenge victory
- 28 assists
- 12 tries of his own
Just some of the examples of how Jack Welsby has enjoyed another astonishing campaign in the famous Red V. Beyond those bullet points, the Saints’ full-back has proven himself to be one of, if not the, best #1 in Super League with incredible efforts in attack and defence. With some of Super Jack’s bone-rattling, last line of defence tackle being some of the best hits of the year.
For the second time in three years, Welsby has received the Saints’ Player of the Season accolade, after winning it for the first time in 2021.
Chairman’s Award
Presented by Eamonn McManus, the Chairman’s Award is presented to an individual for their outstanding contribution to our Club.
After 20 seasons as a First Team player, six as Club Captain and 551 Saints match appearances, the iconic James Roby brings the curtain down on a storied career, with the thanks of every single person associated with St.Helens R.F.C.
For the presentation of the Chairman’s Award, a few familiar faces wanted to pay their thanks to James.
The full list of 2023 Awards winners from our End of Season Awards Night:
- Club Wellbeing Ambassador – Joe Batchelor
- Club Academic Achiever – Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
- Under 16’s Player of the Season – Billy Keeley
- Under 18’s Players of the Season – Ciaran Nolan & Leon Cowen
- Reserves Player of the Season – Brett Bailey
- Young Player of the Season – George Delaney
- Members’ Player of the Season – James Bell
- Try of the Season – Jack Welsby
- This Is Saints Award – Jonny Lomax
- Players’ Player of the Season – James Bell
- Player of the Season – Jack Welsby
- Chairman’s Award – James Roby
