Oakdale Rugby Football Club held its annual presentation evening on Saturday 19th May 2025 at the Clubhouse function room. A great turnout of players and supporters reviewed a difficult season but also remembered the more enjoyable moments and stories from the season.
There were a number of awards presented for those players and support staff that deserved recognition in the eyes of the committee, supporters and fellow players.
The captain’s award was presented to Jordan Wall (Vice captain) in the absence of last season’s Captain, Scott Hoskins, who was away with his family on holidays.
Jordan remained standing to present our ever-present support staff with their recognition awards. Paul Collins (1st Aider/Physio) celebrated his 22nd year in position and Gareth Phelps was recognised for his consistent contribution as Kit Manager & Linesman.
Jordan also presented our two coaches with their awards. Mathew Williams (Forwards coach) and Kris Moses (Backs coach) reflected on a challenging nine months but also looked to an exciting future with the Youth team finally producing a crop of young players who can take the Club forward into the future.
Before he sat down, Jordan presented our Team Manager, Simon Barber with his recognition award. Simon launched the battle salvo for the coming season. Imploring on his charges the need for a refreshed attitude for the 2025/26 campaign and a renewed vigour, setting standards for our incoming youth players to follow and aspire to.
A 100-appearance tie was presented to Corey Thomas by the senior team coaches. Corey thoroughly deserved the accolade, and we hope to see him pull on an Oakdale jersey for many seasons to come.
With an ORFC cap presented for 250 appearances we couldn’t let an occasion of an ORFC player passing 200 appearances in the season pass us by. Mark Dowden, a long-standing servant of the club was presented with a framed photo of the matchday programme of the game he made his 200th appearance by his coaches.
Dylan Jones, our tenacious scrum half, was the recipient of the first annual award of the evening. Dylan was awarded the Most Improved Player of the Year by his Team Manager for a season of unflinching application and a desire to help his teammates.
Dick Perrot, one of our Club trustees, presented the Supporters Player of the Year and after a few honest realisations from Dick, he presented the award to Corey Thomas, who, in Dick’s words had been the standout player of the season.
The recipient of this year’s Clubman of the Year award was Josh Tedstone. Presented by our other Club trustee, Brian Robins, Josh was awarded the trophy for his endeavour in providing the Club with its first ever minibus. Josh’s relentless networking with local companies to secure the amount of funding needed saw him stand head and shoulders above all other contenders for the award and the attendees on the evening gave him a big round of applause for his efforts.
Adrian Robins, Club Fixture Secretary, presented the Player of the Year award to Corey Thomas. Selected by the Team Manager and the coaches, Corey’s performance this season made him the leading candidate for the award and judging by the round of applause he received it was the correct choice.
The last award of the evening, presented by Club Secretary, Gareth Evans, recognised the player who, in the eyes of his peers had been the standout player of the season. And it was definitely the ‘Corey Show’ as the back rower won the Player’s Player of the Year, making it three awards on the night for Corey Thomas.
Closing remarks focused on a need to reset our attitude to a rugby first approach and getting it right on the field first before we think of anything else. Also, a nod was given to the youth players who had represented the senior side last season and an offer of an opportunity for them to come into the senior side and set their own standards which will see the club flourish over the coming seasons.