Newcastle Knights captain Kurt Gidley has won the 2015 Danny Buderus Medal, the Newcastle Knights Player of the Year Award.
The award, presented at Friday’s 2015 Newcastle Knights awards evening, is a fitting accolade for Gidley who departs the Club to join the English Super League in 2016 after an illustrious 15-year career in the red and blue.
Gidley became the Club's most capped skipper and the second most capped player in 2015 and showcased his leadership, skill and versatility playing in a number of positions throughout the season.
Outgoing acting NRL coach Danny Buderus was proud to present the major award, re-named in his honour last year, to his former teammate.
“Kurt just fought for every game that he played and the legacy he has left this season will stay with the playing group,” Danny Buderus said.
“He never gave up, and that’s his mantra. He’s one of those players who every one loved playing with.
“Kurt’s attitude was always first class and that’s driven him for so long.”
The Player of the Year Award is voted by the club’s coaching staff throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Knights forward Kade Snowden was voted Players’ Player and Dane Gagai received the NRL Coaches Award after a stellar season that included a number of representative honours.
The Once a Knight Old Boys Gladiator of the Year Award was presented to Jeremy Smith.
Jarrod Mullen was also awarded Clubman of the Year for his genuine passion and commitment to contributing to the community.
Concluding the NRL awards, Tyler Randell was named 2015 Rookie of the Year after showing impressive form in his first full season playing first grade.
In other grades, emerging forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon received the NSW Cup Player of the Year with Ken Tofilau acknowledged as the Player of the Year for NYC.
In other formalities during the night, Huntlee was unveiled as a new sponsor of the Knights for the next three seasons.
The multi-year deal will see the Huntlee logo in the prestigious sternum position of the Newcastle Knights jersey.
The Knights will first wear a jersey featuring the Huntlee logo at the Auckland Nines tournament in February as part of preparations for the 2016 NRL season.
FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
NRL:
NRL Player of the Year Award- Kurt Gidley
NRL Players’ Player Award- Kade Snowden
NRL Coaches Award- Dane Gagai
Once a Knight Old Boys Gladiator of the Year Award- Jeremy Smith
Clubman of the Year Award- Jarrod Mullen
Rookie of the Year- Tyler Randell
NYC:
NYC Coaches Award- Daniel Saifiti
NYC Players’ Player Award- Fuaimamao Uta
NYC Player of the Year Award- Ken Tofilau
NSW Cup:
NSW Cup Coaches Award- Kerrod Holland
NSW Cup Players’ Player Award- Honeti Tuha
NSW Cup Player of the Year Award- Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Life Membership:
Awarded to longstanding Club official Warren Smiles.
