The RFL are pleased to announce the inaugural winners for the National League Awards 2026...
Secretary Of The Year
Louise Lupton Millom
It is often said that ‘no ref no game’ but the same can be said for volunteers who are the life blood of the game and spend countless hours behind the scenes in their roles.
Lou has been junior secretary at Millom for over 20 years and took on the Open Age role a couple of years ago and has excelled in the job making sure all the tasks are carried out on time and happy to ask if she is not sure of something.
Match Official Of The Year
Josh Egan (Hull)
Josh is from the Hull Society and has been a Match Official for over a decade now, he has had an oustanding season officiating and fully deserves this award.
Premier Division Player Of The Year
Eligh Wilkinson (West Hull)
A lethal left-edge weapon who represented the England Community Lions U19 at this year's European Championship, Wilkinson crossed for 26 tries and scored 146 points in 14 games.
Division One Player Of The Year
Clarke Chambers (Kells)
Following his return to Kells after a season with Whitehaven, Chambers raised his game to a new level, racking up 25 tries in 20 matches along with 7 Player of the Match selections.
Cumbria Conference Player Of The Year
Tom Farren (Dalton)
A winner with the England Community Lions U19 2024 European Championship squad in Serbia, Farren topped the competitions try-scoring list with a sensational 28 tries in just 12 appearances.
North West Conference Player Of The Year
Byron Aspinall (Ince Rose Bridge)
A tireless worker in both attack and defence, the clever hooker dictated tempo in the middle and linked play seamlessly for his halfbacks to flourish, adding 10 tries in 11 games.
Yorkshire A Conference Player Of The Year
Adam Gaunt (Keighley Albion)
Scored 20 tries in 17 games operating primarily at scrum-half, while demonstrating great versatility across the backline
Yorkshire B Conference Player Of The Year
Alfie Beresford (Featherstone Lions)
Posted 20 tries in 17 games operating primarily at scrum-half, while demonstrating great versatility across the backline
Southern Conference Player Of The Year
Joshua Fisher (Hammersmith Hills Hoists)
A versatile strike option out wide, Fisher provided potent finishing power and line-breaking ability across the backline, bagging 13 tries in 12 games.
Top Try Scorer
Tom Farren (Dalton)
28 Tries
Top Points Scorer
Dylan Bragg (Hensingham)
206 Points
Premier Division Coach Of The Year
Ryan Steen (West Hull)
West Hull almost went through the season winning every game though ended up dropping three points and reaching The BARLA Cup Final.
Division One Coach Of The Year
Scott Dyson (Dewsbury Celtic)
In only his second season Scott, as coach, has produced a league winning side, a fantastic achievement as they were probably not one of the favourites for top spot.
Cumbria Conference Coach Of The Year
Paul Armstrong (Dalton)
Only one defeat all season saw Dalton top the table six points clear of Hensingham. Paul was delighted to accept his nomination on behalf of all the coaching team at the club
North West Conference Coach Of The Year
Sean McHugh (Orrell St James)
Another winning league season for Sean in what turned out to be the strongest league with three of the teams reaching the play off semi finals
Yorkshire A Conference Coach Of The Year
Daniel Snowden (Keighley Albion)
Keighley were pushed all the way by the Mirfield and Moldgreen but having won the league last year this helped them push through when it came towards the end of the season.
Yorkshire B Conference Coach Of The Year
Darren Fisher (Featherstone Lions)
Darren has overseen a massive improvement in the Lions fortunes as they were near the bottom of their division a couple of seasons ago and are trending upwards which slowed as they held their own for long periods of the game against Ince Rose Bridge on Saturday
Southern Conference Coach Of The Year
Vince Spurr (Hammersmith Hills Hoists)
Hammersmith had a titanic struggle with West Warriors and Bedford Tigers all through the season but cam out on top scoring a brilliant 703 points through the season and only conceding 189.
