Clubperson of the Year

2025 – Charts & the Sissons

Mark Charter has been involved with the Club and local Rugby for many years. He has been coaching our older boys for the past few years and is always willing to lend a hand wherever it is needed. He keeps a strong connection between junior and senior local Rugby and we are so lucky to have him as part of our club.

The Sissons are treasured AJRU members. Their extremely talented sons have been admirable leaders and excellent players from u6s to u12s. Jess and Dan have coached, managed, cooked bbqs, helped at Gala Days, donated delicious local lamb, and Jess did an incredible job as secretary in 2023. They will be sorely missed – we adore them!

A big shout out also to the wonderful Wrights – your help with BBQs, the Gala Day, managing the 8s and bringing joy wherever you guy has been greatly appreciated!

A huge thanks to Mel D for running an incredible Gala Day! You brought together an incredible event for Rugby and Armidale! AJRU wouldn’t be the same without your wonderful family!

2024 – Ben Rylands

Ben has been a quiet achiever in 2024. He and Lachie Sewell did an amazing job as our Sponsorship committee and arranged updated logos and our new Sponsor tent to provide shade at Gala Days. Ben set up mailing lists and arranges our newsletters. He assisted the Gala Day committee, ordered food and helped with set up then marshalled our Ground Marshalls on the day. Without our volunteers in the background our kids wouldn’t get to enjoy their footy! Thank you Ben!

2023 – Ben Lawry

Ben has been the backbone of Junior Rugby in the New England for many years and continues to contribute through a number of roles. He has kept our older age groups running through some very difficult years. He still supports the younger age groups even though his boys are well past u12s – in fact his boys also now give back to rugby like their Dad! He’s always available for a chat to solve whatever issue we throw at him and Rugby in our region just wouldn’t be the same without him!

2022 – Steph Belson

Steph has been involved in Rugby for many years. She is one of those volunteers who has helped with every facet of the game, from running a training session when the coach gets held up, to arranging trips to Sydney for the kids, to organising Gala Days and working out the dreaded draw!! The game of rugby owes Steph for thousands of hours of her time – but she loves every minute and does it with a smile on her face.

Michael Fussell Prize – u10s and u12s

The Fussells are treasured members of the Armidale Junior Rugby family.

2025 most courageous u10s was awarded to Albie Brauer and u12s was Hugo Sisson. 2024 u10s was Ted Bartlett-Taylor and u12s was Will Dennison and Lachie Wood.

Dales Downtown Meats – Spirit of Rugby Award

Many of our players have been with AJRU since they were just 6 years old. Once they play their last Gala Day as a 12 year old we farewell them as they move on to the senior competition. The Spirit of Rugby Award celebrates the player who always helps an opposition player off the ground, always plays their hardest, who encourages team-mates and thanks the ref and coach. The winner receives a ticket to the Rugby Camp at TAS held in January each year. The 2025 Spirit of Rugby recipient was Levi Vusoniua and 2024 was Darcy Sisson.