2004 IRISH CANADIAN RUGBY CLUB
AWARDS DINNER REPORT

On Friday, November 12th, 2004 the annual Awards Dinner was held at the Paradise Banquet Centre in Concord, Ontario.  Co-Masters of Ceremonies Mark Thompson & Lisa Wilkinson started the evening by thanking our sponsors, various administrators, coaches and volunteers.  Mark then did his hilarious "Love Connection" presentation, honouring the Women's team in their first year with the club.  Marty McLaughlin was seen quietly sobbing.

Rodin "Koko" Lozada then awarded the first Women's Award in the history of the ICRC to The Most Promising Player to Karen Dillaine.  Unfortunately, Karen was not able to attend due to school commitments.  The runners up for this award were Canadian Senior Squad member Megan Gibbs and Jess Panzer.

ORU Hall of Fame member and ICRC Life Time Member Eamonn Browner then presented his award for Rookie of the Year to Raf Kaczmarek.  Raf came out of the York University Rugby program and his speed and quick learning curve had him pushing for a first team spot early in the year.  Raf played scrum half for the 1st XV (a position he hadn't played before) and ended the year by playing in the McCormick Final when in subbed in for the injured Jason Verstraten.  Runners up for this award were former London Irish Academy member Ruairi Carson and Queen's University Captain Rory Connelly.

Koko then awarded the Women's Most Improved Player to centre Jackie Scott.  Jackie seemed to have brought her own cheering section as the applause from her table was deafening.  Runners up for this award were Kendra Kryszak and Laura Steele.

Neil Maxwell presented the Bill Barclay Trophy for the Most Improved Player.  The nominees for this season's award were Kipp Wotherspoon, Marty McLaughlin and former Barclay winner Ryan "Big Puss" Carr.  All three players had great seasons 

and in a very close vote, Wotherspoon won the award.  Kipp had a huge year this season, becoming a cornerstone of the Irish pack, playing for the Toronto Xtreme of the RCSL and being named to the Senior Men's long list.  Unfortunately, Kipp was not able to attend the ceremony so Marty and Ryan accepted on his behalf.

Koko then awarded the Women's 2nd XV MVP to Cheryl Morris.  Runners up to this award were Carolyn Gludish and Lesley Gorman.  Unfortunately, due to her academic studies, Cheryl was unable to accept on the night.  Koko then awarded the Women's MVP and mentioned how hard it was to chose just one person, after a season where so many people played so well.  Nominated players were Christine Ford, Jen Kryszak and Jane Segal with Ford copping the honour.

Club Coach Mark Winokur then came up to present the Bill Freeman Memorial Award for MVP. Nominees were "19 try" scorer Stephen Conlon, two-time winner George Azar, and Chilean International Rodrigo Lacassie.  Winokur joked that this years winner would have sing their national anthem as their victory speech.  With such a group of players, any selection would have been celebrated, but Lacassie's play and quiet leadership on the field handed him the award.

President Peter Ameli then came up to present the John Dixon Memorial Award for the Most Valuable Member.   

The award went to Club Captain Dean MacLean, Women's Head Coach Rodin Lozada and Social Director and Registrar Sebastian Orsi.  Unfortunately, Seb was not able to attend the ceremonies due to family commitments.

Ameli then spoke of the long tradition of the club, and how we want to honour those who done significant work to build the club to the level it now sits at, and strive to attain even higher goals for the ICRC.  Peter then announced that an old trophy has been brought back into service, which will hold the names of those who are inducted into the ICRC as Life-time members.  Eleven members have been awarded Life-time member status and Peter introduced the 12th member, long time member and current Club Coach, Mark Winokur.  Congratulations Mark!

Mark Winokur and Peter Ameli

Finally, Peter asked his father Mike Ameli to step to front as he announced the Mike Ameli Trophy, which will be awarded to the Most Outstanding Development Team Player of the year.  Club Captain Dean MacLean had the honour of announcing Marty McLaughlin as the first winner of this award. 

Special thanks to George Azar from booking the facility and collecting at the door; Dean MacLean for running a very successful "Joker Poker" fundraiser; Mark Thompson and Lisa Wilkinson for their excellent MC job; and Seb Orsi for organizing and collecting money, even though he was unable to attend due to family commitments.

Thanks to all who attended!!  Congratulations to all!!