GALLERY: Lifestyle Alberton Rugby Club celebrates its stars

Players, coaches, management and sponsors were treated to a lunch as the club celebrated the achievements of the club players over 2021.

The players received awards based on their performance as seen by their coaches, fellow players and the chairperson of the club.

The junior player of the year for 2021 was Damian Rudman. His coaches recognised that even though he was the smallest man on the field, they would classify him as a heavyweight.

Rudman was a team leader and a force to be reckoned with, lining up the opposition even though they often dwarfed him.

The junior players’ player of the year was Sphamandla Mlotswa. He is described as always observant and ready to learn. He is celebrated as a skilful loose forward who can run like a wing and tackle like a lock, while always liking to laugh with his teammates.

The senior player of the year was Brandon Schafer. According to the coaches, Schafer is a natural-born leader always ready to lead from the front. He believes in his team and his club and is always there to do whatever needs to be done, on and off the field.

The players’ player of the year was Anton Vlok. He is considered a true stalwart of the Lifestyle Alberton Rugby Club and a shining example of what it means to be a club man. He is described as a phenomenal player, leading with effort, dedication and support to the coaches, staff and players around him.

Ray Koch received an award for outstanding leadership throughout the year. Koch is a no-nonsense person who will always tell you everything straight. He is the first to lend a hand or sort out an issue and believes in every player in the club and will have anyone’s back.

The most decorated player in 2021 was Damian Glaus. He received the awards for senior forward of the year, club player of the year and chairperson’s player of the year.

Glaus learnt everything he knows at the Alberton Rugby Club, and his hard work on and off the field has earned the respect of the other players, both junior and senior, at the club. He is described as a clear example of the modern-day prop and puts in the long yards to lead from the front. The club sees a great future for Glaus both on and off the field.

Club chairperson Danie Putter thanked everyone for their dedication, hard work and teamwork throughout the year. He thanked each of the players, coaches, management and sponsors who made this year a success and said he looks forward to an even better year next year.