WILL Wand claimed Coventry Rugby’s 2023/24 players’ player of the year award an an end-of-season event held at Butts Park Arena.
The pacy centre fought off stiff competition from a number of his teammates to lift the trophy at the end of a season in which he played a huge part in Cov’s top-three Championship finish.
Wand made 23 appearances – 22 of which came as part of the starting line-up – and scored 14 tries as the 22-year-old enjoyed a stellar season.
Wand said: “It really means a lot. It has been a fantastic year where we have created a superb environment on and off the pitch.
“We work really hard but have fun as well and I think that shows in our performances.”
Alex Rae and his team of coaches selected flanker Tom Ball as their player of the year.
The 22-year-old made a huge impact over the course of the season and has already made more than 50 appearances for Coventry.
Rae said: “Tom is a man of few words but when he speaks others really listen.
“His performances have been really consistent all year, he earned a regular place in the team and became one of the stand-out performers.”
Tongan international fly half Pat Pellegrini was named as the supporters’ club player of the year in succession to retirement-bound Will Chudley.
Cov’s no.10 finished the season as the Championship’s leading points scorer after beginning it as a late call-up to the World Cup where he scored a memorable try against double world champions South Africa.
In addition to kicking 169 points in cup and league games, Pellegrini claimed six touchdowns to leave him with an impressive aggregate of 199 points for the season.
Pellegrini said: “We have the best supporters in the league and getting an award from them is a real honour.
“We’ve had a great year as a group and it’s been tremendous to be part of it.”
Ryan Hutler’s 71st minute try in Cov’s narrow Premiership Rugby Cup defeat at Gloucester won the try of the season award while the popular Brian King won clubman of the year.
Coventry are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year and as part of the club’s celebrations will play England under-20’s at Butts Park Arena on Saturday, May 25 with kick-off at 3pm.
