PIRATES CROWN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Club also honours fallen hero Worboys
Steven Kane picked up a hat-trick of prizes at the East Kilbride Pirates’ player of the year awards – on a night the club paid a lasting tribute to fallen teammate Rob Worboys.
Worboys tragically died in January from an undiagnosed cardiac problem, aged just 27, but the Pirates have ensured his legacy will live on after naming their players’ player of the year award in his honour.
On an emotional night at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow, the first Rob Worboys Players’ Player of the Year prize was won by defensive back David McInally, with Worboys’ father Ian on hand to present the award.
David and fellow team captains Steven Wilson and Jamie McLaughlin had earlier given a moving tribute to the much loved and missed player.
Defensive line Kane won the overall player of the year to become the first defensive player in over ten years to receive the club’s top honour, while also collecting defensive player of the year and the special teams’ player of the year.
More than 80 coaches, players and family members attended the awards, held on October 29, as they recognised the outstanding performances over the last season.
In terms of results it was a year to forget for the Pirates. They missed out on the league title for the first time in seven years and, as result, missed out on the BritBowl play-offs.
But Pirates chair Amanda McDonald was delighted to see the efforts of David and Steven recognised.
She said: “We know that 2016 wasn’t the year we had hoped it would be for our senior team, both performance-wise and personally with the sad loss of Rob.
“So I think that made it even more important for us to celebrate the successes we have had, especially the outstanding individual performances of many of our players.
“Steven Kane’s triple award win is hugely well deserved.
“He was the rock of our defense this year, and impressed visiting US college coaches in June so much they named him game MVP without hesitation.
“We were also delighted to see David McInally named as Players’ Player of the Year.
“The award is voted on by the players themselves, and through his leadership and commitment on and off the field, David reflects the spirit of the Pirates.
“We’re sure Rob would have approved.”
As well as presenting player awards, two more members were inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame.
Launched last year as part of the club’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the Hall of Fame is designed to recognise the invaluable contribution of players, coaches and staff who’ve had a huge impact on the success of the Pirates over the years, both on the field and off.
The first 2016 inductee was Alastair MacDougall, who played for the team between 1985 and 1995.
Initially a linebacker, Alastair moved to running back, where he became a prominent and permanent feature of the Pirates team for many years.
He achieved the Club’s first 1000-yard season in 1992, his strong running becoming an integral part of the offensive scheme.
The second inductee of the night was fellow running back Willie Brown, who played for the Pirates between 1997 and 2003. Willie went on to become the Club’s leading rusher at that time, with career stats of 812 carries for 5,878 yards, racking up an impressive 59 touchdowns.
The Pirates are now hard at work planning for the 2017 season.
A taster session for new players will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2017 from 2-3pm on the indoor pitch at Hamilton Palace Sports Ground.
To find out more contact info@piratesfootball.co.uk