St.Helens’ 2026 End of Season Awards Dinner, proudly sponsored by BrewDog, was a fantastic night as we recognised the contributions and achievements from across the Club throughout the 2026 season.
With a number of players and staff recognised across the evening, it was a chance to celebrate the individuals who have made their mark both on and off the field.
Our First Team players and staff were joined in The PSD 1873 Lounge at the BrewDog Stadium by our brilliant Club Partners and Player Sponsors as we came together to reflect on the 2026 season.
The event began with CEO Abi Ekoku and Interim Head Coach Eamon O’Carroll discussing the campaign to date and looking ahead to the final game against Hull KR after a challenging season.
Our first awards of the night saw the Academic Achiever and Wellbeing Ambassador awards presented by Club Chaplain Paul Johnson. Looking to the next generation, our Scholarship, Academy and Reserves Players of the Season were then announced, before the remaining First Team awards were revealed later in the evening.
Here is your recap of the night, with our winning Saints listed below.
Club Academic Achiever
Winner – Alex Walmsley
With an undergraduate degree in Quantity Surveying already under his belt, Alex Walmsley had the opportunity to continue along the career path he had followed before becoming a professional rugby player. However, his experiences within the game, coupled with his natural leadership qualities, sparked a desire to pursue a future in business and sport leadership and management.
As the 2025 season drew to a close, Alex took the decision to enrol on an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) with Manchester Metropolitan University. With the programme demanding a high standard of study, it was a significant commitment – particularly with Alex preparing to get married during the off-season and being selected to represent England in the Ashes Series.
Despite the pressures on his time, Alex showed great determination to begin the course and has successfully continued his studies throughout the 2026 season. His commitment to developing himself away from the field has provided a brilliant example to the younger members of the squad, demonstrating that it is possible to perform at the highest level of rugby while simultaneously preparing for a successful career beyond the game.
Club Wellbeing Ambassador
Winner – David Klemmer
It can take time for anyone joining a new Club to settle into their surroundings, but David Klemmer and his family embraced the culture and community of St.Helens from day one. Throughout the 2026 season, David has consistently gone above and beyond in his involvement away from the field, becoming a fantastic ambassador for the Club and the wider community.
David has played a significant role in supporting the Community Foundation, encouraging young people to enjoy rugby while helping to promote the values of teamwork, hard work and respect. He has also shown a genuine commitment to supporting others, volunteering his time to visit Willowbrook Hospice and local children’s and youth projects, where he has provided encouragement, compassion and a positive role model to those he has met.
Following an injury during the season, David’s impact within the squad did not diminish. Instead, he continued to play a vital leadership role, particularly in supporting teammates who were also recovering from injury and ensuring everyone remained involved and felt valued. His leadership, pastoral care, and willingness to encourage others have made a significant impact both within the Club and across the wider community, making him a deserving recipient of the Club Wellbeing Ambassador Award.
Under 16s Player of the Year
Winner – Alfie Lyon
Our Scholarship side enjoyed a superb 2026 season, going unbeaten across their eight matches with seven wins and one draw. It was a campaign that showcased the talent, determination and togetherness within the group, with the young Saints producing an outstanding set of results throughout the year.
Standing out within that impressive side was Alfie Lyon, who was named the Under 16s Player of the Year.
Alfie consistently impressed throughout the season with his performances, effort and commitment, playing an important role in the Scholarship side’s unbeaten campaign and demonstrating the qualities that have made him such an exciting young prospect within the Club.
Under 18s Player of the Year
Winner – Tyler McGann
Our Under 18s side endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, but showed great character to turn their campaign around and finish strongly. A run of impressive performances towards the back end of the season saw them finish sixth, just one point behind fourth-placed Castleford Tigers and narrowly miss out on a place in the Academy Play-Offs.
The young Saints carried that momentum into the Middle Fours, producing another impressive run to reach the final, where they were narrowly beaten by Wakefield Trinity in a thrilling contest. One player who consistently stood out throughout the campaign was Tyler McGann, who was named the Under 18s Player of the Year.
Tyler has been a standout performer for the Under-18s this season, while also gaining valuable experience around the First Team. The young halfback has been called into a number of First Team squads throughout the campaign, taking part in training sessions and matchdays and gaining an invaluable insight into the demands of senior rugby.
Reserves Player of the Year
Winner – Cole Marsh
The Reserves faced a challenging 2026 campaign, with the team particularly affected by the injuries in the First Team squad and several players regularly being called up to senior squads throughout the season.
Amid those challenges, Cole Marsh was a standout performer, consistently showing the tenacity and determination expected of a Saints player. His performances were matched by an excellent attitude and personality, making him a popular member of the squad and a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Reserves Player of the Year award.
Cole’s impressive season was capped by a proud moment when he made his First Team debut in our Round 19 victory over Catalans Dragons. He has since added a second appearance, featuring against Leigh Leopards last week.
This Is Saints
Winner – David Klemmer
Since being first introduced in 2022, the This Is Saints Award is given to a player for his efforts that may go unnoticed by most, but not by the coaching staff and players inside the First Team or Club environment. Not necessarily from matches, but from training and everyday Saints duties.
David Klemmer continues to put the team first and really goes the extra mile with his efforts both in preparation and matches.
In his first season with the Club, ‘Klem’ has also gone above and beyond in embedding himself within the Saints community. From his involvement with our Community Foundation and local projects to the way he has embraced the Club’s values, he has quickly become a fantastic example for what it means to be a Saints player.
Members’ Player of the Season
Winner – Tristan Sailor
Chosen by our loyal 2026 Saints Members, Tristan Sailor was the chosen player for this highly sought-after award, as it is chosen by our supporters who are there cheering on the team every single week, year after year.
We were delighted to welcome Saints Member Reece Dixon on stage to hand out this award.
Picking this one up meant a lot to Tristan, as he praised the importance of the support of the Saints supporters and how much their backing has meant to him and the team throughout the 2026 campaign.
Try of the Season
Winner – Jack Welsby
From a shortlist of eight scores, fans were asked to vote for the one that should be the best of the year. The winning effort was scored by Jack Welsby for his superb try away to York Knights in Round 21.
A fantastic move from deep saw Jack set Harry Robertson down the right edge, beating two defenders before finding Tristan Sailor in support; our number 6 drew the final man and found Welsby on the inside to finish off the move he started for a sensational score.
Take a look back at the try below…
Players’ Player of the Season
Winner – Tristan Sailor
An award that symbolizes just how respected you are by your peers, as it is chosen by those you play and train alongside every day. In 2026, Tristan Sailor was the First Team’s choice. With his teammates singing his praises, Tristan was incredibly touched to receive this award for the first time.
The ultimate team player, Tristan has been willing to do whatever has been asked of him throughout the 2026 season, stepping into several different positions as injuries have impacted the squad. At no point has he let his impact his attitude, instead always putting the needs of the team first and embracing every challenge that has come his way.
His reliability has been just as impressive, with Tristan featuring in every game for the Saints this season. That follows an equally consistent 2025 campaign, meaning he is now on course to complete back-to-back ever-present seasons. His selflessness and commitment to the team have made him a hugely valued member of the squad and a fitting recipient of the 2026 Players’ Player of the Year Award.
Young Player of the Season
Winner – Jake Davies
Jake has enjoyed a real breakout year in the First Team, making 23 appearances and scoring 10 tries. In a challenging campaign for the Saints, he has been a real bright spot, grabbing his opportunity when injuries opened the door and proving he belongs at First Team level.
A particularly memorable spell came in late April and early May, when Jake scored in four consecutive games, starting with his first senior try against Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup quarter-final; he then crossed in the following three games against Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and York Knights.
Having been named Reserves Player of the Year at last year’s awards, Jake has taken another significant step forward in 2026 to claim the Young Player of the Year Award. His progression, attitude, and impact have made him a thoroughly deserving winner and a player with an exciting future ahead of him.
Player of the Season
Winner – Harry Robertson
The Player of the Year Award recognises the standout performer across the season, and in 2026, it was Harry Robertson who deservedly took home the honour.
The young halfback has shone throughout the campaign, making 28 appearances and scoring seven tries, with his performances particularly impressive since moving into the halves in the latter stages of the season. Injuries within the squad have also given ‘Robbo’ the opportunity to take on a more senior role within the group, something he has embraced and valued as he continues to grow in confidence and leadership.
It has been another significant step in Harry’s development, having won both the Saints’ and Super League Young Player of the Year awards in 2025. He has continued that progression this season to establish himself as a key member of the First Team and earn the ultimate individual recognition as the Saints Player of the Year.
Chairman’s Award
Winners – Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival
Presented by Chairman Eamonn McManus, in recognition of over a decade of outstanding seasons of service to St.Helens R.F.C., Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival received the Saints’ 2026 Chairman’s Award.
Both players will bring their illustrious Saints careers to an end at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, having established themselves as two modern-day legends of the Club. They have been at the heart of the most successful period in Saints’ Super League history, delivering countless big-game performances and helping the Club to some of its greatest achievements.
While their performances on the field have cemented their legacies, their impact away from it has been just as significant. Jonny and Percy have been outstanding ambassadors for the Club and, above all, fantastic people. Their commitment, professionalism and loyalty have made them hugely respected by everyone at St.Helens, and the Chairman’s Award is a fitting tribute to two players who have given so much to the club.
The full list of 2026 Awards winners from our End of Season Awards Dinner:
- Club Academic Achiever – Alex Walmsley
- Club Wellbeing Ambassador – David Klemmer
- Under 16s Player of the Season – Alfie Lyon
- Under 18s Player of the Season – Tyler McGann
- Reserves Player of the Season – Cole Marsh
- This Is Saints Award – David Klemmer
- Members’ Player of the Season – Tristan Sailor
- Try of the Season – Jack Welsby
- Players’ Player of the Season – Tristan Sailor
- Young Player of the Season – Jake Davies
- Player of the Season – Harry Robertson
- Chairman’s Award – Jonny Lomax & Mark Percival
A recap of the 2026 season…
Take a look back at the 2026 season from a different angle, with our Saints Pitchside Cam capturing the action, emotion and moments from the edge of the field throughout the campaign.
