After the final whistle of Newcastle Falcons’ Friday Night Finale against Bath Rugby, the club held their annual end-of-season awards presentation.

We know it’s been a tough campaign, and results haven’t gone our way but it’s still important to acknowledge those who put their bodies on the line week in week out.

From excellent support to the wider community to some outstanding tries, there have been several standout moments to reflect on in 2023/24.

Taking place on the pitch, the club presented awards for six categories:

• Community player of the season.
• Try of the season.
• Young player of the season.
• Ken Lockerbie trophy.
• Players’ player of the season.
• Player of the season.

Up first was the Community player of the season and awarded for contribution to the wider community and work supporting our fantastic Newcastle Rugby Foundation.

The winner was hooker Michael van Vuuren, who unfortunately was not at the game to collect his award, so centre George Wacokecoke, collected the award in his absence.

The award was presented by chair of Newcastle Rugby Foundation trustees Iain Ramage, and we’d like to say a big thank you to him for joining us on the pitch.

The next two awards to present were try and young player of the season.

Try of the season was voted for by supporters across all of our social media channels, and there was a shortlist of four to choose from, check them out below:

Ben Redshaw exceptional solo try against USA Perpignan took home the trophy, presented by Dave Roberts, managing director of club partner Hitachi Construction. We’d like to thank Dace and Hitachi for their continue support this season.

Young player of the season was voted for by the rugby department at Newcastle Falcons and following a stellar season at the club, cementing a place in the first team, scoring sensational tries and helping the England U20s in their victorious U20s Six Nations campaign, Ben Redshaw was our winner in this category.

The award was presented by the head of Newcastle Falcons’ academy, James Ponton.

The Ken Lockerbie Trophy was up next. Named after the dedicated club man who contributed over 50 years to Newcastle Falcons before his passing in 2017, the award is decided by a panel of founding members, who each voted for their player of the season.

For 2023/24 they voted club captain Callum Chick as their winner.

One of the club’s founding members presented the award and we’d like to thank him and fellow members for their continued support.

Lastly, players’ player and player of the season were both awarded to the Guy Pepper.

A standout player in a difficult season for the club, the homegrown talent won the award voted for by his fellow team mates and also the award voted for by the rugby department at Newcastle Falcons.

Players’ player was presented by Peter Moody, CEO of club sponsor GAP Group, a big thank you to them for their ongoing support throughout the season.

Player of the season was presented by forwards coach, Micky Ward.