Established in 1968, the Brussels Barbarians Rugby Club is the largest expat rugby club in Belgium with over 45 different nationalities represented. We train every Tuesday (20.00 to 21.30) and Thursday (20.00-21.30) and play on Sunday. We welcome new players, men and women, whatever your experience, age, size or nationality - Come along, get fit, meet friends and enjoy rugby!
| Annual BBRFC Awards Dinner - May 15th 2009 |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Jo Wilkinson | |||
| Friday, 22 May 2009 11:27 | |||
|
The setting was the lovely restaurant The Atelier in the Schuman district. After a lovely cocktail we all took our seats and dined on our 3 course dinner. Once the deserts were served, we kicked off proceedings with the speeches and awards. First up were Tammy and Dee to give their review of the year, what we got was a humorous and memorable top Ten from them of the year; with Allison throwing herself in the fountain featuring high on the list! The up got Ari, our wonderful ladies coach, who spoke passionately about her troops. At the end she went through all the names of people who she hopes will be playing next year, nothing like getting early commitment, numbers not looking too bad at the moment! Ari then presented most Improved player of the year. The nominees were Laura Dowsett, Rachel Smit and Rebecca Shorrock, and the winner was...Rebecca! Next up, Clare Gunns got up to hand over her award for Player of the year. Lovely speech which included the wonderful news that her and Jimbob are expecting a little girl! The nominees for player of the year this season were Michelle Folland, Rachel Smit and Deirdre Furlong...and the winner was Michelle! Our new proud father Bernardo (Men's Captain) was next to make his speech; having just flown straight in from Oslo, he had even managed to prepare some lovely words...you can never knock Berny's Commitment! Alex was next up to present the Most Improved Player award. The nominees were Shane Lawlor, Sven Herrman and Taggart Davis....and the winner was Shaney. Unfortunately Shane was in Rome attempting to eat his own body weight in pasta...but well done all the same! The player of the year was presented by Staino who made a lovely speech, who says those Cumbrians don't have good oral skills! The nominations were: Simone, Bernardo and Joe Buxton....and the winner was Simone, well done, well deserved! We were drawing the end of the evening and swiftly moving on, Neil Marks, the wonderful men's Coach got up to give us his run-down of the season. Neil then gave his "Coaches award" ..I would say there were several guys on the list who have helped Neil in his task, several people were mentioned and it is all of those guys who have helped the men stay in the Second Division (phew!). The award went to....Chris Stainton! Well done! The last 2 awards had almost opposite meanings; one being the most prestigious award you can receive as a BaaBaa, the other was for a bit of a giggle. And to present these two awards is man who could easily have won both, Mr Trotter! Mr T had had quite a few bevvies by this point but he still managed to pull it together and deliver a lovely if not slightly slurred speech! Trotter personifies a true BaaBaa and it was lovely to have him present the Barbarian of the year to another person who mirrors those qualities....the nominees were: Michelle Folland, Stu Dowsett, Jo Wilkinson and Bernardo Rodrigues....and the winner was BERNY!! It was a shame he had had to leave to go back to his new family but well done mate, well deserved! Alex was on hand to receive the award. The last award was Twat of the year...there were several contenders but the prize went to Arnault for his organisation of the Meat Eaters extravaganza at the Old Inn...I don't know too many details but Trotter was fairly scathing using phrases like Surrender Monkey and Poodle Carrier! So all in all it was a great night, we headed off to the Joyce where two Kegs were put on and some managed to stay until 6am! The venue was great, it gave an intimate feel to the evening, we had a great turn out and the speeches were at times moving but always passionate proving to some doubters that we still have a great spirit and great people and that's what makes our Club a club to be proud of and in a lot of ways unique in Belgium rugby.
|