Handley named inaugural winner of Rob Burrow CBE Award

Leeds Rhinos and England winger Ash Handley has been named the Leeds Rhinos mens Player of the Year and becomes the inaugural winner of the newly created Rob Burrow CBE Award as the Rhinos Player of the Year.

Handley, 28, has scored 14 tries in 19 appearances this season and received the award from Rob’s father Geoff at the awards dinner at AMT Headingley Stadium. Handley was selected by the club’s coaching team for his efforts throughout the season particularly playing through the pain barrier to help his side, which eventually required surgery recently thus ending his season. He was a fitting recipient of the new dedication for the Player of the Year award, emulating Burrow as a ‘one club’ man having come through the academy ranks and been a team mate of Burrow early in his career.

The Leeds Rhinos Womens Player of the Year is second row Lucy Murray. Like Handley, Murray came through the academy to play for her home town team and has been a mainstay of Lois Forsell’s side as they finished second in the Betfred Super League to set up a huge semi final clash with York Valkyrie this Sunday at AMT Headingley, kick off 5pm. Murray has only missed two games this season, scoring ten tries, and featured in the team at Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final.

Another new award to be presented for the first time was the Roy Berwick Supporters Player of the Year. The award was donated by the family of Roy Berwick, who was a lifelong Leeds fan for nearly eighty years until he passed away last year. The winner was decided via an online poll on the Rhinos website with Rhyse Martin picking up the award. Martin, who will join Hull KR next season, was given a special framed shirt from the game when he kicked his 1,000^th point from the club recently.

Martin was one of six players honoured on the night who will be departing the club at the end of the season. The five players who have gained heritage numbers were awarded their framed heritage certificates along with a copy of the programme from their debut by the Leeds Players Association member Paul Pickup.

The club’s academy teams were also recognised in partnership with Academy partner Evolve Lettings. Presley Cassell picked up the mens Academy Player of the Year whilst Lily Thompson was named the Womens Academy Player of the Year.

A new Young Player of the Year Award was created for the first time in honour of Bev Risman OBE, the legendary Leeds full back who passed away in 2023. Bev was a great believer in giving young players the opportunity to play and it was fitting that his name was attached to this award, which covered players from both the men, women and wheelchair teams who had shown outstanding progress this year.  Mens player Alfie Edgell won the award and was presented with it by Bev’s grandson, Luke Risman.

The club's Head of Media and PR, Phil Daly, was recognised with the Teammate of the Year award for the way he led the tributes for the late Rob Burrow CBE and his guidance and support for staff, supporters and the friends and family of Rob.

The Leeds Building Society Try of the Season was another award that covered all three Betfred Super League teams at the club. In a tight contest, Brodie Croft’s lung bursting long range try against Leigh on an emotional night at AMT Headingley won the vote with 35% of the vote. 

The Rhinos Wheelchair team are heading into the play offs once again having won the League Leaders Shield for the fifth successive season. Captain Jodie Boyd-Ward was named Player of the Year.

The club’s Physical and Learning Disability teams were also celebrated on the night. Stephen Parkin and Declan Jenkinson were named co-winners for the LDSL team whilst World Cup winner Tommy Pouncey collected the PDRL Player of the Year, with both awards sponsored by the club’s legal partner Chadwick Lawrence.