Lebanese rugby league staged a glittering awards ceremony on Friday night at the five star Le Meridien Commodore hotel in Hamra, Beirut, following the conclusion of the Bank of Beirut Rugby League Championship earlier three weeks ago. Sponsors Bank of Beirut were represented by Roger Abboud, the head of the banks credit card division, while members of Lebanon’s press corps also attended.

Abboud was fulsome in his praise of his company’s partnership with Lebanese rugby league: “Bank of Beirut always takes its social responsibility very seriously, and supports Lebanese sports for this reason. Rugby league fits the personality of Bank of Beirut as it reflects the spirit of youth and its dynamism…Some people thought we were taking a big risk in sponsoring a sport which most Lebanese haven’t heard off, but I am very happy to say that we have been proved correct and are delighted to be backing this championship for the next four years.”

LAU Immortals forward Robin Hachache was the biggest winner, taking the coveted John Elias award, named after Lebanese rugby league’s founder, as player of the season, as well as the representative player of the year, LAU clubman of the year and players’ player of the year awards. Hachache won four caps with the Cedars in last autumn’s world cup qualifiers before spearheading Liban Espoir’s 48-18 rout of the UAE side in March as well as LAU’s table-topping finish.

The LRLC also instated a new honour, following a global rugby league tradition of naming a championship final man-of-the-match award after a home rugby league personality. Thus, the Darren Maroon Award, won by Jounieh lock Youssef El Helou, was inaugurated to commemorate the serving Cedars coach’s run of 13-matches without defeat – the second longest in the game’s history.

Full list of medalists:

John Elias Award: Robin Hachache (LAU Immortals)

Darren Maroon Award: Youssef El Helou (Jounieh Al-Galacticos)

Representative Player of the Year: Robin Hachache

Young Player of the Year: Ramy El-Rassy (USJ Saints)

Coach of the Year: Jean Paul Zakhour (Jounieh Al-Galacticos)

Players’ Player of the Year: Robin Hachache

Top Scorer: Wael Harb (AUB Wolves)

Fullback of the Year: Riad Khoury (Balamand Razorbacks)

Wing of the Year: Megho Keychian (AUB Wolves)

Centre of the Year: Ramy El Rassy

Halfback of the Year: Darren Kinnaird (AUB Wolves)

Loose Forward of the Year: Wael Tawil (Balamand Razorbacks)

Second Row of the Year: Ahmad El Masri (Jounieh Al-Galacticos)

Prop of the Year: Adel Kanso (AUB Wolves)

Hooker of the Year: Fadi Azzam (Jounieh Al-Galacticos)

AUB
Clubman of the Year: Karim Mourabet
Most Improved Player: Christopher Hobeiche

Balamand
Clubman of the Year: Wael Tawil
Most Improved Player: Firas El Mir

Jounieh
Clubman of the Year: Hassan Merouwe
Most Improved Player: Elie Khoury

LAU
Clubman of the Year: Robin Hachache
Most Improved Player: Ahmad Fadlallah

USJ
Clubman of the Year: Rony Akel
Most Improved Player: Zahi El Meer