Tony Miller will leave his post as coach of Doncaster an award winner, after being chosen by his Kingstone Press Championship peers as the Coach of the Year during the 2013 Kingstone Press Championships Awards night, in Leeds.
Miller, who is leaving Doncaster after 23 years’ association with the club, guided his side to sixth in their first year back in the Championship after clinching promotion in 2012 – when he was named Championship One Coach of the Year.
The coveted Premier Sports Championship Player of the Year is Sheffield Eagles prop Mitch Stringer, whose consistent performances throughout the season earned him the award of fellow shortlist members Paul Cooke of Doncaster and Aaron Brown of Dewsbury Rams.
Stringer’s association with Sheffield started a decade ago and, after spells in Super League with Salford City Reds and London Broncos, he re-joined the club in 2006 and will be aiming to lead his side to a second consecutive Championship Grand Final title on Sunday September 29.
The Kingstone Press Championship Young Player of the Year award went to Leigh half-back Ryan Brierley, who enjoyed a successful campaign in the Centurions’ first team as they finished fourth in the Championship.
North Wales Crusaders’ highly successful season has been recognised with three major awards, highlighting their dominance in the 2013 Kingstone Press Championship One season.
Jono Smith beat fellow shortlisted team-mate Andy Moulsdale and Dylan Skee of London Skolars to win the Championship One Player of the Year award, whilst Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths was presented with the Coach of the Year award after his success in leading the team to the Championship One title and Northern Rail Bowl.
Crusaders were also named Championship One Club of the Year, to crown a hat-trick of honours on the night. Halifax were named the Championship Club of the Year.
Given the plethora of young talent in the Championship One, five players, instead of the regular three, were shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award which was won by Tyla Hepi of the University of Gloucestershire All Golds.
Andy Jordan, who works as part of the Batley Bulldogs backroom team, was presented with the prestigious Northern Star award which celebrates an individual’s work in the community during the 2013 season.
There were also honours for the competition’s top match officials with Chris Leatherbarrow, who was in charge of the 2013 Northern Rail Cup final, earning the Referee of the Year award and Mike Woodhead named the Match Officials’ Achiever.
2013 Kingstone Press Championships Award Winners
Championship Player of the Year: Mitch Stringer (Sheffield Eagles)
Championship Young Player of the Year: Ryan Brierley (Leigh Centurions)
Championship Coach of the Year: Tony Miller (Doncaster)
Championship One Player of the Year: Jono Smith (North Wales Crusaders)
Championship One Young Player of the Year: Tyla Hepi (Gloucestershire All Golds)
Championship One Coach of the Year: Clive Griffiths (North Wales Crusaders)
Northern Star winner: Andy Jordan (Batley Bulldogs)
Referee of the Year: Chris Leatherbarrow
Championship Club of the Year: Halifax
Championship One Club of the Year: North Wales Crusaders
Match Officials Achiever: Mike Woodhead
