The Cooma United Stallions Club's annual presentation last Saturday night saw first grade co-captain, James Cahill, awarded the Cooma Ex-services Club Player of the Year.

In what turned out to be a successful night for James, he was also presented with the Elmore Evans Hill Award, and Players' Player.

The function at the Cooma Ex-services Club acknowledged the upward trend of the club, noting the club's strong position with four grades involved in the club, and the efforts of fielding a women's league tag side each week, despite dwindling numbers from the promising interest of 24 at the beginning of the season to 11 players each week.

Club president, Todd Williams, thanked all those who involved in the club, from the players' performances and commitment across the season, to the volunteers who willingly staffed the canteen or sold raffle tickets.

"We pride ourselves on our culture of the club and the new players took this on board straight away. I also want to thank the coaching staff of all grades," Williams said.

He spoke of the ability of coaches especially in the U18s squad, to bring it together each week, at training and on game day.

Special mention was made to Col Shingles, the Fillies women's league tag coach.

"He's been the pillar of our league tag and he's really built it up and is always willing to make the game grow. His passion, his commitment and dedication he shows to make sure the game progresses is appreciated.

"He has a club first mentality and people don't realise the amount of work he does off the footy field as well. I thank for him for the amount of effort he's put in to the Fillies," Williams said.

Reserve grade coach, James Boller, and first grade coach, Jason Kelly, were also congratulated for their dedication and to make finals this year.

"It was pretty dire at one stage for our club but three out of our four teams played finals this year within two years of a re-build, and that's a fantastic achievement," Williams said.

"Jason brought in fresh faces who were great footballers but they are club men first, and that's what we need. You are fully committed and passionate and you're probably a mate to everyone before you are a coach and our club appreciates that.

"Looking to the future I think. We are on the way up and good things are coming to this club, so I am looking forward to that."

Williams thanked his committee, stating the work it does does not go unnoticed.

"The executive committee has also made my job so easy, without you the club goes nowhere, and I appreciate everything you do for us."

Special acknowledgement was made to the late Rick Bond and Mark Kaufline for the legacy they have left on the club.

Awards:

U18s - Most Improved, Andrei Moruz, Coaches Award, Sash Thomas; Most Consistent, Mitchell McMahon; Players' Player, Jermaine Bartlett; Best and Fairest, Nates Stokes.

League tag - Most Improved, Jordy Breden; Coaches Award, Alyssa Arnold; Most Consistent, Maddie Banks and Jess Clark; Players' Player, Brianna Rankin; Best and Fairest, Ruby Barnes.

Reserve grade - Most Improved, Gus Brabham; Coaches Award, Travis Kelly; Most Consistent, Jack Newson; Player's Player, Tom King, Jake Byrne; Best and Fairest, Jake Byrne.

First grade - Most Improved, Brock Halls, Coaches Award, Mitchell Sullivan; Most Consistent - Keegan Caldwell; Players' Player, James Cahill; Best and Fairest, Noah Saddler.

Perpetual Awards:

George Kaufline Rookie of the Year, Dempsey Woolf; Mick Pearson Tackling Award, Richard Bensley; Monaro Post Leadership Award, Tristan Hamilton; Elmore Evans Hill Award, James Cahill; Thomas Family Club Person of the Year Award, Tammy Byrne; Theo Bruyns Club Player of the Year, Riley Casey; Andy Hayden Top Try Scorer, Maddie Banks; Mark Williams Highest Point Scorer, Ruby Barnes; Fillies Player of the Year, Ruby Banks; and Cooma Ex-services Club Player of the Year, James Cahill.