2025/ 2026 End of Season Awards

Mick Connolly Award - WO2 Sam Winfield

The Mike Connolly Award is given to the member of the Royal Navy Mariners Rugby Union Squad who has made the most impact through the season. This player will have shown leadership, commitment and energy in the finest tradition of the over-35's game.

In a season defined by a demanding operational backdrop, increased tempo, competing priorities, and the realities of modern naval service, representing the Mariners has never been more challenging. Against that background, Winnie has continued to serve the club with distinction, while also achieving a recent professional promotion. 

Having only recently become eligible due to age, Winnie has epitomised the Royal Navy Mariners. Juggling family life, work, and home‑club rugby, he has remained a constant presence, dependable, engaged, and fully invested. Within a senior and experienced cohort, he is a trusted voice whose example quietly sets standards and whose influence is felt throughout the squad. 

On the pitch, Winnie leads by example. His game is honest, disciplined, and selfless. He brings calm under pressure, reinforces standards when it matters most, and earns respect not through words, but through action, the very traits that Mike Connolly valued so highly in those who wore the Mariners jersey. 

Off the pitch, his impact is just as significant. Socially, Winnie is always on display, a great tourist, a unifier, and a hugely valued squad member who understands that Mariners rugby is about camaraderie, belonging, and shared endeavour as much as results.

Through sustained leadership, commitment, and energy, against a challenging operational backdrop, WO2 Sam “Winnie” Winfield truly embodies The Mariner. In both deed and character, he reflects the legacy of Mike Connolly and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this year’s Trophy. 

Proud Heritage, Exciting Future Award – Mne Freddy Elliott

The award was first made in 2010 at the end of season dinner, which coincided with the Navy team ending the Army’s eight-year winning run in Inter Service rugby. The purpose of the award was to acknowledge the exciting talent that exists within the wider Navy Senior XV squad, the talent, which if harnessed and developed, will provide Navy Rugby a future befitting of its proud heritage.

This year’s worthy recipient of the Proud Heritage, Exciting Future award goes to Mne Freddy Elliott, in the true spirit of this prestigious accolade, it recognises the emerging talent within Navy Rugby.  

This award is in recognition of an outstanding year of development and achievement within the Snr Men 2026 season. Long recognised as a player of significant raw talent, Freddy has shown exceptional commitment this season by working tirelessly away from Navy Rugby to enhance his all‑round game, translating that effort into consistently high-level performances throughout the campaign. He epitomises pace, power and an aggressiveness that allows himself, and the team to make yards that shouldn’t be made. His improvement over the last year has been remarkable, and he has excelled whenever called upon, marking the beginning of a very promising Navy Rugby career.  

In doing so, Freddy has embodied the core values of Navy Rugby—demonstrating Discipline in his dedication to improvement, Enjoyment in his approach to the game, Belief in his own potential, Respect for teammates and opponents, and Selflessness in his contribution to the team – making him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.  

Freddy epitomises the core values of the award and is thoroughly deserving to receive this illustrious trophy, an exciting future in the Royal Navy jersey awaits.  

Cossack Sword – PO Ben ‘Bubba’ Watson.  

The Cossack Sword was presented to the Royal Navy Rugby Union by former player and selector, Captain Leigh Merrick Royal Navy and first awarded in 2000. The sword is for “Ground Gained and Held” and awarded at the end of each season to the player, from the Royal Navy Senior XV, whose performances over the course of the season best meet the battling qualities invoked by the heritage of the “Cossack Warrior”.

Uniquely nominated by the players themselves, the Cossack Sword recognises the individual whose contributions have earned the respect and admiration of their peers. This season’s thoroughly deserving recipient is PO Ben ‘Bubba’ Watson.  

Now in his tenth season, Bubba was appointed Senior Men’s Club Captain, a new role in which he has set — and consistently upheld — the very highest standards. His leadership, physical presence, and relentless commitment epitomise the values represented by the Cossack Sword and stand as a testament to the years of dedication he has given to Navy Rugby.  

To be honoured in this way by his teammates holds particular significance, underlining the esteem in which he is held. This award recognises not only an outstanding season but also confirms Bubba as this year’s standout player — fully deserving of the Cossack Sword. 

Roger Sherratt Trophy for Most Valued Player – ET(WE) Ellie Brightwell 

The Roger Sherratt Trophy is awarded to the member of the Royal Navy Women’s Rugby Union Squad who is deemed to be the most valuable player of the season. This player will have shown strong leadership qualities both on and off the field, have provided a positive influence on the Squad and have displayed the attitude and bearing that epitomises the values of the Royal Navy Women Rugby Union Team.

The Trophy is awarded in memory of Mr Roger Sherratt, who was the first benefactor of the Royal Navy Women’s team. Roger Sherratt first became involved in the Women’s side through his daughter, Clare Sherratt, who supported the team as both a player and as the Assistant Team Manager. The Royal Navy Women remain indebted to the support of Roger Sherratt as without his backing, the team would not have received the opportunity to gain the recognition of the wider RN Rugby community, which has allowed us to become the more professional organisation that we are today.

Continuing her epic impact of last season, this year’s Royal Navy Most Valuable Player is AB Ellie Brightwell. 

Ellie’s transition from a player always on the frontline, to on-field captain has been nothing short of seamless; it has not phased her one bit. While her technical attributes across the field remain exceptional, it is her leadership that separates her from the pack. 

Her mentality of “sweeping the sheds” has not gone unnoticed. Ellie embodies the ethos that no role is too small and no standard too high. She is a true inspiration, a leader with unequivocal traits of teamwork, humility, and accountability. 

Having all the skills on the field is one thing, but her determined mindset to “walk this talk” has without doubt been fundamental to our cultural success this year. Ellie doesn’t just demand effort, she personifies it in every drill, every match, and every moment of adversity. 

For raising the performance of everyone around her, for leading by example when it mattered most, and for proving that true value is measured in service to the team, Ellie Brightwell is the 2026 Royal Navy Women's Rugby Union Most Valuable Player. 

Most improved Player – LNN Beth Wilcox  

The most improved player award is presented to an individual who has exhibited the most significant growth throughout the season. This award serves as a recognition of their talent, dedication, and perseverance.

Beth’s transformation this season has been nothing short of exceptional. Having previously operated in the backs as a centre and winger, she accepted the demanding challenge of moving to flanker in the forward pack, a position requiring radically different physicality, breakdown technique, and defensive instincts. Not only has Beth taken this change in her stride, but she has also flourished beyond all expectations. Her tactical understanding of the game has grown immensely, reading opposition plays and adjusting her positioning with a maturity that belies her relative inexperience in the row. 

Most importantly, Beth’s fundamental rugby prowess shines brightly through her fearless tackling, intelligent link-play, and an unrelenting work rate around the ruck area. Her resilience, professionalism, and positive mindset have set a benchmark for adaptability within the squad. 

For turning a positional gamble into a season-defining success, Leading Naval Nurse Beth Wilcox is thoroughly deserving of this award. 

Players Player Award: LNN Beth Wilcox 

The Players’ Player award holds a unique and deeply respected place within the team, rooted in the traditions of trust, camaraderie and the shared endeavour that define Rugby Spirit. Unlike any other accolade, it is decided by those who train, compete, and stand shoulder to shoulder together each week; giving it a significance that goes beyond performance alone. It reflects the values that matter most within the group: commitment, humility, resilience, and unwavering support for one another. To be recognised by peers in this way is a true honour, symbolising the highest level of respect and appreciation from those who best understand this team and their shared journey. 

The player receiving this award embodies the very essence of what it means to be both an awesome individual rugby player and a valued member of the Royal Navy Rugby Union.

Consistently demonstrating resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment, she leads not only through performance but through her exemplary contribution to our squad success. Her selflessness on and off the pitch, coupled with her ability to inspire trust and nurture cohesion throughout the whole squad, make her a natural choice as her teammates’ Players’ Player. 

Soapy Watson Award – PO Stephen ‘Fido’ Fidock 

The Soapy Watson award was first presented in 2007 in memory of Warrant Officer ‘Soapy’ Watson, this trophy is presented to the training support group (TSG) member who has contributed over and above the call of duty from across the representative area.

Soapy was the most consummate of team players whose support to Navy Rugby was fulsome at all levels and his abilities as an administrator were outstanding; he spent five seasons involved with the management of the Senior XV and created what is now known as the Mariners team after challenging the other two Services to an over 35 veterans match in 1995. Soapy was a great man and someone who reflected the commitment and values that are strived for in Navy Rugby.

Petty Officer Stephen ‘Fido’ Fidock is awarded the Soapy Watson Award in recognition of his outstanding and sustained contribution to Royal Navy Rugby.  

For a number of years, Fido has delivered well above and beyond the call of duty in his role as Kit Technician to the Senior Men’s Team. His unwavering commitment to excellence, uncompromising standards, and relentless drive to provide the best possible environment for the squad have made him a true stalwart of RN Rugby. His professionalism ensures the team is always prepared to perform at the highest level.  

Whilst still shaping the future of the Royal Navy delivering 11 classes to date as his role within Initial Naval Training (Ratings) Fido’s contribution to the team extends far beyond equipment and logistics. He is a constant presence and source of support for both the squad and the Team Support Group—whether through a timely nutty bar, a coffee and a quiet chat, or simply being there when it counts most. He is, quite simply, the glue that holds the team together.  

Reserved by nature, Fido comes into his own on the side of the pitch, where his passion for the game and the team is unmistakable—vocally encouraging the players, challenging officials, and unsettling the opposition when required. He gives the team exactly what it needs, exactly when it needs it.  

Embodiment of commitment, loyalty, and selfless service, Petty Officer Fidock exemplifies the very values represented by the Soapy Watson Award and is a wholly deserving recipient. 

Images by Cinnabar Studios