For his dedication to training the First grade Top Trainer went to David Bermingham.

The Barney and Mark Robson Trophy for Under 18 Rookie of the year award, was jointly shared by Callum Bennet and Jamie Thornberry.

The Westpac Banking Corporation Trophy for Rookie of the Year in First grade was presented to Aaron Woolley.

The Dave Cooper Memorial Trophy for Most Tackles was presented by Pam Cooper to Brenton Woolley.

Brodie Friend received Top Try scorer in the under 18s while Phil Butler was awarded Top Try scorer in First Grade with 15 tries.

Stuart Scott was presented with the most points award in under 18s.

Rob Burn once again scored over 100 points in a season and was awarded most points in first grade.

A special travel award was presented to the ever reliable "play it hard" Stephen "Snow" Jones.

The Wayne & Vickee Lynch Family Perpetual Trophy for Open Juniors Players’ Player won by Karl Maere.

The Woodlock Poll Dorset Stud Trophy for First grade Player's Player went to Tigers second rower Charles Lawrence.

The Hodder Family Trophy for most valuable player was presented by Ray Hodder to Charles Lawrence.

The Kevin & Jess Makin Trophy for Most Improved Open Junior Player was awarded to the promising Lachlan Watson.

The K B Ryan Memorial Trophy for Most Improved First grade Player went to the promising Nick Daly.

Canowindra Butchery Trophy for the Most Consistent Open Junior Player went to Aaron Earsman.

Earsmans mixed concrete trophy for most consistent in first grade went to the ever reliable Rob Burn.

Club Patron John Slattery presented the club person of the year award. In the process John explained that this year it was a tied vote with two winners and presented the award to Debbie Rice and Life member Leanne Stevenson.

Token gifts of appreciation were made to our helpers and the coaching staff with our thanks.

The coveted Allan Green Memorial Trophy for the Ambassador to the game of Rugby League and the Canowindra RLFC was presented to Under 18s player Karl Maere.

n cont on page 11

The players' jerseys were presented to the players by Coaches Greg and Damian. Rob Burn and Aaron Earsman then presented each of the coaches a gift, in appreciation of their efforts this season.

Club Patron Dick Marsh presented the Bellabulin Pastoral Company Trophy for the Best and Fairest Open Junior Player in 2009. The second runner up medal went to Kelton Morgan-Smith. The Runner up was Aaron Earsman. With the major award going to Stuart Scott, this was a great reward for Stuarts fantastic season.

Before the major awards in first grade Dick addressed the audience of over 80 people. He spoke about the efforts of the first grade squad and thanked them for their entertainment throughout the season.

Throughout the night the Best and Fairest Board containing the highest pollers in first grade in 2009 was on display. Periodically the week to week votes were revealed setting up an exciting climax at the end of the night.

On behalf of Wayne, Vickee and Chad Lynch, the Josh Lynch Memorial Medals for Best and Fairest in memory of our 2001 and 2002 Best and Fairest and talented Tigers' half back Josh Lynch were presented by Dick Marsh.

The Final round saw Charles Lawrence (15 points) named Best and Fairest holding off runner up Justin Hancock by one point. Damian Kennedy and Brenton Woolley were locked in third place on eleven points.

Charles was presented with the Caltex Perpetual Trophy and the Josh Lynch Memorial Medal.

Capping a fantastic 2009 season Charles Lawrence was presented with the Len and Joan Ryan Trophy for Player of the Year

n continued on page 11.

2010 Season

Preparations for 2010 begin at the Clubs AGM on Monday the 7th December at Canowindra Golf Club. It has been another successful season for the tigers and the club will be looking to continue that in 2010. Applications for coaches positions in 2010 are now open and will close on Friday December 4th. The Under 18s and First Grade position are both open. Applications to P.O. BOX 159 Canowindra 2804.

WIDENING THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

Western Rugby League will continue its push to encourage growth at under 18 level in the 2010 season as league's look to widen the window of opportunity.

The western region welcomed the addition of ten sides in the late teen division, this equates to approximately 200 extra players spread across the Castlereagh Cup, Woodbridge Cup and Group 10.

Western Chairman Peter McDonald attributes the boost in numbers to simply providing an opportunity.

“It shows there are plenty of players who want to enjoy rugby league it’s just a matter giving the clubs and players a chance to compete and reach their potential," McDonald said.

"The has been promoted more heavily across various league’s in the region and we will continue this approach,” McDonald said.

The main contributor to growth was the Castlereagh Youth League, which saw five teenage teams take shape including Gulgong, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Dunedoo and St John’s Dubbo.

A new addition to the Castlereagh Youth League in 2010 could be the Warren Bulldogs as the blue and whites look to canvas interest from youth within the town.

While Dubbo Macquarie and Dubbo CYMS have also been asked to consider fielding two under 18s sides, with their second tier outfits likely to compete in the Castlereagh Youth League.

“The success of our Youth League in 2009 has certainly boosted depth across our competition and we see potential for further growth,” said Castlereagh Cup president Dean Leach.

In region’s south there are promising signs for the formation of a six team Woodbridge Cup under 18s competition.

Cabonne, Grenfell and a 2nd Forbes Magpies under 18s side are all working hard to join the 2009 trio of Peak Hill, Condobolin and Canowindra.

“The longer we keep our youth in the game the greater the chance of retaining those players in grade,” said Woodbridge Cup president Arthur Cooper.

The prime example of this came in Group 10, where the return of Oberon Tigers and Blayney Bears in under 18s laid the foundation for the Bears return to Group 10 senior ranks in 2010.

For further information contact:

Western Rams president Peter McDonald 0418424118

Castlereagh Cup president Dean Leach 0428470474

Woodbridge Cup president Arthur Cooper 0427497677

The players' jerseys were presented to the players by Coaches Greg and Damian. Rob Burn and Aaron Earsman then presented each of the coaches a gift, in appreciation of their efforts this season.

Club Patron Dick Marsh presented the Bellabulin Pastoral Company Trophy for the Best and Fairest Open Junior Player in 2009. The second runner up medal went to Kelton Morgan-Smith. The Runner up was Aaron Earsman. With the major award going to Stuart Scott, this was a great reward for Stuart’s fantastic season.

Before the major awards in first grade Dick addressed the audience of over 80 people. He spoke about the efforts of the first grade squad and thanked them for their entertainment throughout the season.

Throughout the night the Best and Fairest Board

containing the highest pollers in first grade in 2009 was on display. Periodically the week to week votes were revealed setting up an exciting climax at the end of the night.

On behalf of Wayne, Vickee and Chad Lynch, the Josh Lynch Memorial Medals for Best and Fairest in memory of our 2001 and 2002 Best and Fairest and talented Tigers' half back Josh Lynch were presented by Dick Marsh.

The Final round saw Charles Lawrence (15 points) named Best and Fairest holding off runner up Justin Hancock by one point. Damian Kennedy and Brenton Woolley were locked in third place on eleven points.

Charles was presented with the Caltex Perpetual Trophy and the Josh Lynch Memorial Medal.

Capping a fantastic 2009 season Charles Lawrence was presented with the Len and Joan Ryan Trophy for Player of the Year