Western Australia’s rugby community came together at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough on Wednesday morning to celebrate the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs who made an outstanding contribution to the 2026 season.
The RugbyWA Grand Final Awards Breakfast recognised achievements from across the junior and senior game, culminating in the presentation of the Sue Roberts and PG Hampshire Awards to the best and fairest players in the Fortescue Women’s and Men’s Premier Grade competitions.
Kalamunda co-captain Awhina Heke capped an outstanding individual season by winning the Sue Roberts Award with 21 votes, four clear of Palmyra’s Caitlyn Edwards.
Heke was also named the Women’s Top Try Scorer and Top Point Scorer after finishing the regular season with 20 tries and 102 points.
Nedlands scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens claimed the PG Hampshire Award with 16 votes, narrowly finishing ahead of UWA’s Caleb Young on 15.
Louwrens was recognised for the leadership, composure and consistency he displayed throughout the season, as well as his ability to control matches and consistently put his team on the front foot.
RugbyWA Chair John Welborn received RugbyWA Life Membership, the highest accolade the Association can bestow, in recognition of his significant and lasting contribution to rugby in Western Australia.
Welborn became the first Western Australian born and bred player to represent the Wallabies in 1996 and later returned home as a foundation Western Force player in 2006. His contribution to the game has continued off the field through his leadership, advocacy and service as a former RugbyWA President and current Chair.
The morning also celebrated the people who make community rugby possible behind the scenes. Rhys Vaughan was named Coach of the Year, Pieter Mostert received Match Official of the Year and Palmyra’s Marion Drummond was recognised as Volunteer of the Year.
Wanneroo Rugby Club received the Healthway Champions of Rugby Award for its commitment to creating a healthy, inclusive and connected club environment. The club’s work to promote physical activity, mental wellbeing and healthier choices was further recognised this week when it became Rugby Australia’s first Gold Status Club through the Club Impact Program.
Perth Bayswater Rugby Club received the Stephen Fink Award for its outstanding junior program, which recorded 8.9 per cent player growth while maintaining a player-to-coach ratio of 8.7 to one. The club also expanded opportunities for junior girls and demonstrated strong governance and coach-development practices.
The inaugural All Abilities Coach and Player of the Year Awards were presented to Perth Bayswater’s Kylie Mason and Southern Lions’ Andrew Ferry respectively.
Mason was recognised for the energy, organisation and care she brings to Perth Bayswater’s All Abilities program, while Ferry was celebrated as Western Australia’s first All Abilities player and for his continued commitment to the growth of inclusive rugby.
Nedlands’ Joseph Ritchie received the Fortescue NEGU Award for the resilience, determination and generosity he has shown following a serious spinal injury in 2025. Ritchie returned to the game this season as an assistant coach with the Nedlands Third Grade side while continuing to support players across the club with scrummaging and safe scrum technique.
Southern Lions’ Nicholas Heron was named the most outstanding player of the Belt Up Colts season, winning the George Newstead Award with 21 votes.
The leading performers from the Fortescue Premier Grade competitions were also recognised. Nedlands’ Migael De Lange won the Men’s Top Try Scorer Award with 21 tries, while UWA’s Caleb Young received the Men’s Top Point Scorer Award after accumulating 140 points.
Cottesloe was crowned Senior Club Champion after finishing the season with 1,481 club championship points, ahead of Palmyra, Wanneroo and Nedlands.
Nedlands claimed the RugbyWA Cup after defeating Cottesloe in the final round of the regular season. The result ended Cottesloe’s long-running defence of the challenge trophy and returned the Cup to The Foreshore.
Hilton Primary School received the School Ambassador Program Spirit of Rugby Award for its commitment to building participation and awareness through Force 5, Tri-Tag Rugby and the advocacy of its physical education program.
The Breakfast also recognised the minor premiers from across the junior and senior competitions before looking ahead to Saturday’s Fortescue Premier Grade Grand Finals. Coaches and captains from Wanneroo, Cottesloe and Wests Scarborough joined the event for a series of discussions ahead of the season’s biggest matches at Wanneroo Rugby Club.
2026 RugbyWA award winners
- Sue Roberts Award: Awhina Heke – Kalamunda
- PG Hampshire Award: Ryan Louwrens – Nedlands
- RugbyWA Life Member: John Welborn
- George Newstead Award: Nicholas Heron – Southern Lions
- Healthway Champions of Rugby Award: Wanneroo Rugby Club
- Senior Club Champion: Cottesloe – 1,481 points
- Stephen Fink Award: Perth Bayswater Rugby Club
- Coach of the Year: Rhys Vaughan
- Match Official of the Year: Pieter Mostert
- Volunteer of the Year: Marion Drummond – Palmyra
- All Abilities Coach of the Year: Kylie Mason – Perth Bayswater
- All Abilities Player of the Year: Andrew Ferry – Southern Lions
- Fortescue NEGU Award: Joseph Ritchie – Nedlands
- School Ambassador Program Spirit of Rugby Award: Hilton Primary School
- Men’s Top Try Scorer: Migael De Lange – Nedlands, 21 tries
- Women’s Top Try Scorer: Awhina Heke – Kalamunda, 20 tries
- Men’s Top Point Scorer: Caleb Young – UWA, 140 points
- Women’s Top Point Scorer: Awhina Heke – Kalamunda, 102 points
- RugbyWA Cup: Nedlands
Junior Minor Premiers
- Under 13 Gold: Kalamunda
- Under 13 Girls: North Coast Sharks
- Under 14 Gold: Joondalup Brothers Blue
- Under 15 Girls: North Coast Sharks
- Under 15: Southern Lions
- Under 16: Palmyra
- Under 17 Girls: Southern Lions
- Under 18: Nedlands
Senior Minor Premiers
- Championship Grade: Mandurah
- Fourth Grade: Kalamunda
- Third Grade: Nedlands
- Reserve Grade: UWA
- Belt Up Colts: Southern Lions
- Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade: Wanneroo
- Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade: Cottesloe
