Bowral Blacks have won two premierships this year and for the icing on the cake, enjoyed success at the Illawarra District Rugby Union (IDRU) awards night.
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Lachlan Huntington was crowned player of the year and Blacks head coach Gene Fairbanks was joint winner for coach of the year.
Huntington said he was shocked to receive the award and credited his teammates and coaches for his success.
“I didn’t think I’d go anywhere close to it. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the guys I line up with each Saturday and the coaches that give up their time,” he said.
The highlight for him in 2018 was of course claiming the two premierships- a first in the history of the club.
“Taking the premiership in first and second grade has to be one of my biggest highlights this year and doing it coming into the game as underdogs.” It [was great] to do it against a team that has been so dominant throughout the competition over the past five years or so.”
Huntington has been involved with the Bowral Blacks for eight years and has loved every minute of it.
“The enjoyment that I get out of it is that it has shaped the person who I am today. I’d probably be lost without rugby, especially at a club such as Bowral which has made me enjoy rugby not only on the field but off it as well.
“The bonds you also create with each player and coaching staff is very unique and special.”
He will now turn his attention to getting ready for the 2019 season and getting over a few small injuries from this year.
Fairbanks said it was good to get the coaching award and that it was a result of all the coaches at the club who had put in plenty of time and effort both on and off the field during the year.
“We’ve got a plethora of fantastic coaches down there and that’s why we got the results.”
Former Blacks player Andrew Strode was awarded senior referee of the year.
