It was the Senior Men’s end of season awards at the weekend. A relaxed evening with a lot of fun had by many of the Exiles’ Division 1 and Premiership players who enjoyed such a great 2021-22 season. Here are the recipients of the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year for both the Premiership and Division 1 teams:
Coaches' Premiership Player of the Year - Justin Walsh
Justin Walsh received the accolade of ‘Player of the Year‘ from the Dubai Exiles senior rugby coaches for the 2021-22 season.
Justin has enjoyed a great 2021-22 season in both the UAE Premiership and at the Emirates Dubai 7s. He made 9 appearances for the Exiles in the UAE Premiership during the 2021-22 season, scored 3 tries, kicked 17 conversions, and 2 penalties contributing 55 points to the Exiles‘ 472 accumulated over 10 games.
‘Walshy’ made an enormous contribution to the Dubai Exiles winning the Gulf Men’s League at the 2021 Emirates Dubai 7s in December. Thunderous performances in the pool stages and a big impact in the Final played on Pitch 1 against the Dubai Tigers. The Exiles running out with a 24 – 14 win over the outfit from Dubai Sports City.
Players' Premiership Player of the Year - Matt Mills
Matt Mills has been playing rugby for the Dubai Exiles since the 2015-16 season. The former ‘Old Northamptonian’ has enjoyed a fantastic 2021-22 UAE Premiership rugby season and was another player who played an enormous role in the Exiles’ Emirates Dubai 7s Triumph.
As well as enjoying a great season with the UAE’s most historic rugby club, Matt had another tremendous season on the international stage. Matt captained the UAE National 7s Team in the Asia Rugby Men’s 7s Trophy Tournament in Phuket Thailand earlier in the year – bringing the Cup Final winner’s trophy back to the UAE after defeating Singapore 22 – 17 in the Surakul Stadium.
Coaches' Division 1 Player of the Year - Tarek Mursal
Tarek Mursal has just completed his first season with the Dubai Exiles. The big hitting science teacher, a former Loughborough University and English National 2 player, arrived in Dubai in the summer of 2021. Tarek immediately gained a reputation in the UAE leagues as a very big-hitting prop.
Tarek has been a great addition to the Exiles senior rugby squad. He has provided experience and guidance to the many younger players int he Exiles’ Division 1 side as well a repeatedly providing cover and playing out of position to support the Exiles’ Premiership team.
Players' Division 1 Player of the Year - Andrew Stenhouse
Andrew Stenhouse is another player who’s just completed his first season of UAE rugby with Dubai Exiles RFC. His experience and leadership during matches provided invaluable guidance to the younger members of the Exiles’ Division 1 side and saw him recognised with the ‘Player’s Player‘ award from his fellow players.
Andrew, a prop of significant experience, has provided invaluable support to the Exiles’ Premiership side during the 2021-22 season.
