The 12 nominees for this year’s Ken Catchpole Medal – Photos: seiserphotography.com

NSWRU Media Release –

Next Friday will see Sydney’s best club player awarded the prestigious Ken Catchpole Medal at Sydney Rugby Union’s annual awards luncheon.

The Ken Catchpole Medal is awarded to the Shute Shield Player of the Year, as voted by the tournament’s referees on a 3-2-1 basis over the course of 18 rounds of pool matches.

This year, twelve players from seven clubs have been shortlisted for the top prize.

Preliminary finalist Sydney University is the most represented club, with three candidates in Greg Jeloudev, Tim Davidson and NSW Waratahs speedster Tom Kingston.

Eastwood duo Ben Batger and Hugh Perrett, who both achieved a top ten finish last season, have again been recognised, as part of a consistently effective Woodies side that has already claimed the 2013 minor premiership.

2012 Rookie of the Year, Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
and 2012 Ken Catchpole Medalist Hamish Angus (Warringah) – Photos: seiserphotography.com

After providing last year’s winner in Hamish Angus, Warringah will be hoping Josh Holmes and Dave Harvey can emulate the former skipper’s feat this season.

As well as the Ken Catchpole Medal, the event at the Sydney Boulevard Hotel will honour the senior and colts’ club champions, as well as the competition’s rising star, who will be awarded with the Rookie of the Year accolade, won last year by Southern Districts’ Jed Holloway.  The tournament’s top point scorer will be presented with the Roscoe Fay Trophy, whilst the Coach and Referee of the Year will receive the David Brockhoff Medal and Dick Byres Award respectively.  Finally, the 2013 NSW Country Rugby Player of the Year will earn the Will Tanner award.

The nominees for the 2013 Ken Catchpole Medal (in alphabetical order by club) are:

Andrew Shaw (Eastern Suburbs)
Ben Batger (Eastwood)
Hugh Perrett (Eastwood)
Bill Meakes (Northern Suburbs)
Kotoni Ale (Manly)
Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts)
Rohan Saifoloi (Southern Districts)
Tim Davidson (Sydney University)
Greg Jeloudev (Sydney University)
Tom Kingston (Sydney University)
Dave Harvey (Warringah)
Josh Holmes (Warringah)