The Scottish Rugby awards will now take place in a regional format, with nominations collected locally within the five regions. The regional winners will then be put forward to Scottish Rugby’s National Awards night at the end of season.

The premise of the awards is to celebrate and recognise the efforts of players, coaches, match officials and volunteers from the domestic game across Scotland.

On the announcement of the newly created awards structure, Sheila Begbie, Director of Rugby Development said, “Whilst keeping the game front-and-center at our end-of-season awards night, we also want to make sure that we celebrate those behind the scenes efforts.

“Aligning with our new regional structure, we want to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our game who, quite simply, make rugby happen in our communities. These new awards will give us the opportunity to give thanks and recognition to the amazing volunteer workforce who are so vital to the success of rugby across Scotland.”

The Tennent’s Try of the Month awards, decided by Scottish Rugby’s High-Performance and Rugby Development teams, will remain as a monthly national competition. Both the men’s and women’s leagues sponsored by Tennent’s will be eligible to submit a nomination. All monthly award winners will then go forward to the end of the year Tennent’s Try of the Season Award.

There will be an introduction of new volunteer recognition awards within the following sections; Youth Club Rugby, School’s Rugby and Adult Club Rugby to award volunteers that have gone above and beyond in their sections and provided a safe, fun and friendly environment to play rugby in.

In addition, the Young Volunteer of the Year award will recognise the contribution young people make within the community rugby. This category will be open to young people from 16 to 26 years of age who make a significant impact in helping to support and develop opportunities for people to participate in the game.

Tennent’s Club of the Month and Year will be replaced with a regional and National Community Rugby Club of the Year award which will be awarded to a club who caters for the whole community. They must demonstrate strong growth and progress both on and off the field, delivering projects and initiatives to grow and develop the game and their community.

Match officials will also be recognised for their contribution to the game with both regional and national awards, sponsored by Specsavers, being presented for commitment to the game and performance on the pitch.

SP Energy Networks Club Coaching System award and SP Energy Networks Spirit of Rugby award will remain as national awards with the latter voted for by the public.

The following Player Performance awards will also be announced at Scottish Rugby’s National Awards night:

– Men’s Premiership Player of the Season

– Men’s National Player of the Season

– Men’s Regional Player of the Season

– Women’s Premier Player of the Season

– Women’s National League Player of the Season

– Women’s Regional Player of the Season.

The nomination process for regional awards will go live at the end of November and will be open for applications until the end of January 2020. The Regional award winners will then be celebrated throughout March with the end of year Scottish Rugby National Awards night being held in May.