Awards Night 2026 - the Winners
On Saturday 19th September 2026 we had our fifth ever awards evening to celebrate both our team and individual achievements from the 2025-26 season.
This was held at Mad Frans on Whitehall Road, Leeds.
Most Improved player
The ‘Most Improved Player’ award lies at the heart of our club’s philosophy. What sets us apart is our three-tier development pathway, designed to help players grow and progress to the next level. This award recognises those who have shown a consistent hunger to learn, week after week. Their commitment to improvement has shone through as they’ve listened to their coach, embraced feedback, and put in the hard work to realise their potential.
Josh Moss
Most Improved Player - Warriors 3
Josh has made some big strides this year. Much of this development has been driven by his commitment to building his fitness and skills off the ice. His hard work paid off this year. Well done Josh.
Chris Hamilton
Most Improved Player - Warriors 2
In his first season with the club, this guy has made a huge impression on the Warriors 2 team. He’s fitted in seamlessly both on and off the ice. He’s improved the defence with solid performances and is a positive addition to the team - well done Chris Hamilton.
Will Gibbons
Most Improved Player - Warriors 1
This guy will have been surprised to receive this award. A humble player, he underestimates his own qualities. This Warriors 1 forward can play anywhere on the ice. He can play 3rd line and help keep things solid or he can play on the 1st line and pick up goals and assists - he’s also one of our best defensive forwards. It’s this excellent hockey IQ and positional awareness on the ice that has made him a huge asset to the team this season. Well done Will Gibbons.
Coach’s Award
The Coach’s Award celebrates players who are a true pleasure to coach — those who consistently put the team above themselves. These individuals embody commitment, teamwork, and positivity, leading by example both on and off the ice. They work tirelessly, lift those around them, and represent the very spirit and culture our club strives to uphold.
Phil Bradley
Coach’s Award - Warriors 3
For Warriors 3, this award went to a player who brings a great attitude to every session and game. He plays hard, never complains, listens to the coach and is eager to learn and improve his game. Well deserved. Well done Phil Bradley.
Ben Briggs
Coach’s Award - Warriors 2
This guy is a Warriors OG. We don’t know how long we’ll be able to hold onto him and this may be his last Awards Evening with us - so it was very fitting for him to pick up this award. This player has had such an excellent attitude from day one and been a true servant to the club over the whole 6 years that Leeds Warriors has existed. If this is the end, we’ll be sad - but thank you for everything Ben Briggs - and good luck for the future.
Simon Morrow
Coach’s Award - Warriors 1
Another humble Warrior - this guy has been a model of versatility throughout the season with a real team player attitude. A forward by trade, he filled in defensively, without any complaints, over multiple games during the season. Not only that, he did a great job. A true role model. Well done Simon Morrow.
Best Forward
The Best Forward award recognises the player who carries the greatest impact offensively — the one whose absence would be felt most on the ice. While often among the top goal scorers, this honour isn’t just about individual brilliance or end-to-end plays. It celebrates the forward who makes their line click, elevating the performance of everyone around them and driving the team’s attacking success through skill, vision, and chemistry.
Jonjo Marshall
Best Forward - Warriors 3
Another no-brainer - Jonjo was the stand-out forward on the Warriors 3 team this season - and has since been moved up to the 2nd team to further his development. Well done Jonjo.
Stewart Nelson
Best Forward - Warriors 2
Another Warriors OG - this guy has really come into his own this last season. As a senior member of the team he’s become a huge offensive asset to the team and is crucial to Warriors 2. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make the awards evening, but well done Stewart Nelson.
Mitch White
Best Forward - Warriors 1
It wouldn’t be a Warriors Awards Night without an accolade being bestowed on this guy. We all see the ability he possesses, but he also adds a lot of grit and determination to his game and really steps up for Warriors 1 when they really need him. Well done Mitch White.
Best Defence
At the other end of the ice, we have the Best Defence award. Behind every great forward is an amazing defence. They are there when the pressure ramps up. The best D can keep a calm and level head whilst orchestrating the beginning of a great play. It’s often a thankless job but everyone knows that without good D a team can easily collapse.
Phil Pearce
Best Defence - Warriors 3
It came as no surprise that Coach Andy Giles gave this award to this player. What a season he’s had! From D, he was the team’s highest points scorer and earnt himself a call-up to Warriors 2. Well done Phil Pearce.
Arek Koziel
Best Defence - Warriors 2
Another guy who has been part of the Warriors furniture for a long time - this guy has really stepped up and become integral to the Warriors 2 defence. Unfortunately, he couldn’t join us on the night, but here’s Arek Koziel with his award on the ice the following night! Well done Arek!
Jake Warner
Best Defence - Warriors 1
In his first season for Warriors 1, this guy has been a revelation for the team. He was one of our most consistent performers all season - a cornerstone of the team — shutting down opposition attacks but also contributing when we push forward. Jake’s ability to read the game and transition play makes him invaluable at both ends of the ice. Well done Jake Warner.
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
The MVP is recognition of the name who is always first on your team sheet. It’s the person who you know will be there each week without fail. They amplify the team’s performance and make the biggest difference on the ice.
Phil Pearce
Most Valuable Player - Warriors 3
With the season this guy had, it was probably a no-brainer that he would get this award - his second of the night. Well done Phil Pearce!
Howard Barwick
Most Valuable Player - Warriors 2
Long standing Warrior and Captain - Howard is ‘Mr Warriors 2’.
He has lead this team brilliantly and it comes as no surprise that he would get this award. Howard is pivotal to the team and wouldn’t be out of place as a Warriors 1 player.
Andrew Hughes
Most Valuable Player - Warriors 1
This award is testament to this guy’s versatility and multi-talents. Whilst a netminder by trade, this Canadian can also be a highly effective skater. He’s played both forward and D during the course of the season which has made him an invaluable asset to Warriors 1. Well done Andrew Hughes.
Player’s player
Player’s player is the one everyone really wants as this is recognition from your peers. You could simply be the best player or you could be selfless - or just a great person in the locker room. Someone others look up to.
It’s a real recognition of the high regard you are held in by your peers and something you should cherish.
Gary Clough
Player’s Player - Warriors 3
Gary is held in such high regard by his team-mates for his overall commitment to the team, both on and off the ice. This has been seen over many years as he generously volunteers his own time to help the club with off-ice administration.
Cain Turner
Player’s Player - Warriors 2
A new addition to the club for this season, he has integrated brilliantly with the team, earning the respect of his team-mates immediately and also showing his hockey qualities out on the ice. Great to have you on board, Cain Turner.
Andrew Hughes
Player’s Player - Warriors 1
His second award of the night - and this is such a nice one. Andrew is such a popular, likeable and positive force for the team, so this wasn’t a huge surprise. Congratulations Andrew!
Club Award
This award is voted on by the committee, and is awarded to an individual who volunteers their own time, and makes it their personal mission to promote, improve and support the club wherever they can. The Club Award is given to an individual who bleeds Warriors.
Corey Clough-Howard
Club Award
A Warriors OG, Corey Clough-Howard is one of the most important players on Warriors 2. He can play forward or defence, he has great training attendance, a great attitude and is a positive influence in the locker room. He regularly volunteers to help with working the scoreboard, score-sheet and clock on game nights. Corey is a true all-rounder and it’s a real pleasure to have him as a Warrior.
Chairman’s Award
This award is chosen by the current Chairperson, and is given to an individual who they feel deserves special recognition for their contributions to the club, not just for the last year, but throughout their time with us. This person has been integral to the whole club over several years - organising the ‘Bottom of The Barrel Cup’ for the development team, contributing to committee decisions, volunteering to help at games, helping with the presentation and organising of Awards Evenings - this person has always been on hand to help, and recreational hockey clubs rely heavily on the generosity of people like…. Gary Clough
Gary Clough
Chairman’s Award
IHSC Cup - Winners Medals
With our Warriors 1 team having won the overall Intermediate Division of the 2025-26 IHSC Cup, they were all awarded with winners medals. Seen here with the cup itself. Well done guys!
What a fun night it was! The drinks were flowing and everyone seemed to have a good time! For those who couldn’t make it, we missed you but hopefully we’ll see you next year!
On behalf of all who attended, a huge thanks to all the organisers for making it happen. We really appreciate the massive effort you all went to! Bring on the new season!
