Prize time for the Pirates
Kenny Muir scooped an awards double at East Kilbride Pirates’ Player of the Year night recently.
Over 70 players, coaches, staff and family members from the Pirates senior and women’s teams gathered at the Village Hotel in Glasgow to celebrate the top performances over the course of the season.
Despite a disappointing season on the field, which saw the men’s team miss out on the BritBowl playoffs for the second season running after recording just four wins from 10 games, the Pirates have been encouraged by some of the individual displays.
The evening culminated with veteran wide receiver Muir being named as senior team Player of the Year and he was also recognised by his team mates too, who voted for him to receive the Rob Worboys Players’ Player of Year award.
For the first time the night also saw the inclusion of awards for the Pirates women’s team, who celebrated their achievements for their contact football season earlier this year.
The Pirates senior team winners were: Rob Worboys Players’Player of the Year – Kenny Muir Kenny Hodge Memorial Player of the Year Award – Kenny Muir Rookie of the Year – Andy Shaw Barry Nunn Most Improved Player of theYear – Scott Widdowson Special Teams Player of the Year – Steven Kane Lineman of the Year – Steven Wilson Offensive Player of the Year – Scott Widdowson Defensive Player of the Year – Andrew McGowan And the women’s team winners were: Rookie of the Year – Karyn McIntosh Most Improved Player of the Year – Aimee Wilson Offensive Player of the Year – Aynsley Barclay Defensive Player of the Year – Becca Asquith Players’Player of theYear – Becca Asquith
As well as presenting player awards, the latest inductee to the Pirates Hall of Fame was also announced.
Launched in 2015 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 have had a huge impact on the success of the East Kilbride Pirates over the years, both on the field and off.
This year’s first inductee was Ryan Hunter, the safety turned quarterback who led the Pirates to a division one championship victory in 2011.
Ryan, who was involved in the sport from an early age, played with the Pirates between 2006 and 2014, racking up some phenomenal stats during that period.