The event was held at the Pavilion, Broadstairs on Friday the 5th of May 2023.
Club Chairman, Chris Panteli, opened the proceedings with an outline of the past season for the club.
One of the club’s ladies, Abbey, was the winner of £100 for the Heads and Tails game.
First team captain, Nick Herbert gave an account of the senior men’s year before making a presentation to the club’s physiotherapists, Monique Clement, Fran Rafiq and Harry Clemo. There was a special thanks and bouquet for the first XV’s long serving team manager, Michelle Mclean.
The second and third teams’ captains reviewed their teams’ years and announced their players of the season. Bill Wallace revealed that James Whowell is the 3rd XV player of the year and Michael Whitehead named Leon Doody as the second XV’s player of the season.
The Ladies Section has enjoyed a wonderful first full season. Captain, Gee Cordell recorded that they were unbeaten in winning their inner warrior league and sevens trophies and had great results before bowing out of the cup. The most improved young player for the Ladies was Holly, Milly was the Coaches’ player of the year and Vicky was the coaches’ player of the season.
First Team Captain, Nick Herbert announced that the most improved first XV player was Jack Startin, the young player of the year was Noah Dann and the player of the year was Tom Walton.
Chris Panteli announced two new awards, The Community award and the Chairman’s award.
The Community award went to Mario Garcia for his wonderful service to the local community in his work with schools and the Send Hub and the Junior sections at the club. It was presented by John Keohane from the PKSF who part funded Mario’s work in the schools.
The Chairman’s Award went to Andy Bull, who has helped the Chairman and the club so much during the past year through his role as the club’s Development Director and Marketing Guru.
The Junior Coach of the year, chosen by her peers, was Caroline O’ Sullivan. Her patience is legendary in dealing with not only Wanderers youngest groups but also those of the SEND group who have special needs.
The prestigious Clubman of the Year Trophy was awarded to Patrick Liddle. The young Wanderer is a qualified referee and will help with any project that needs an extra pair of hands. He was particularly remembered for his early role as coach with the Ladies where he managed to keep the spark of Ladies rugby alive before enthusiastically joining in with the team that has seen ladies rugby blossom.
Congratulations to Patrick and all the deserving award winners who received their awards from the evening’s special guest, Andy Goode, who closed the evening with a self-deprecating, hilarious account of his years on the front line in the Premiership and with the England national side.
Thank you to him and to all who attended and made it another special Wanderers evening. It was certainly memorable for Hadleigh, who was the winner of the £100 raffle.
Thank you to Kelly Smith for your wonderful organisation of this lovely evening.
06 May 2023
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