Josh Navidi, Robin Copeland, Macauley Cook and Tomos Williams were among the winners as Cardiff Blues held its annual End of Season Awards at the Vue Cinema in the city centre last week.
Wales international Navidi - who has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season - was awarded the big prize on the night, the Peter Thomas Player-of-the-Season sponsored by the Airbus Group, after he was selected by the coaching staff at Blues.
Number Eight Copeland was named the Players’ Player-of-the Season, sponsored by DS Smith Recycling, after he polled the most votes from other members of the squad at Blues.
Highly-rated forward Cook was named the Most Promising Player-of-the-Season, sponsored by Fosters, after a season that has seen him excel in both the second and back row.
Wales Under-20 scrum half Tomos Williams, who will play in the Junior World Championships in the coming weeks, was named the Academy Player-of-the-Season, sponsored by Spiros Fine Dining, after his breakthrough campaign.
The ceremony, hosted by BBC Scrum V presenter Ross Harries, saw those players that will leave the region at the end of the season presented with framed pictures of themselves in action for Blues.
Several key players were awarded 50 caps as Josh Navidi, Robin Copeland, Rhys Williams, Andries Pretorius, Lloyd Williams and Lewis Jones – who became the youngest to achieve the feat in the region’s history – hit the memorable milestone this season.
Centre Dafydd Hewitt was also awarded his 100th cap after he became a centurion for the Blues when he played against Edinburgh at the Arms Park back in October.
The importance of the community game and nurturing and developing young talent right across the Blues region was also recognised with the Airbus Group Community Awards.
Chris Ower, WRU Rugby Development Manager – Cardiff Blues Region, and Mo Stephens, from the Airbus Group, presented the Young Peoples Coach Award to Andrew Williams, who has been a teacher at Pontyclun Primary School for over 10 years and also coaches at his own local rugby club junior section at Gilfach Goch RFC. While Mandy Gee a vital member at Rumney RFC was awarded Club Volunteer of the Year. The Outstanding Contribution to Rugby Development was presented to Richard Sheppard, has developed a large number of players throughout his time at Cynon Valley U15’s.