Four people from Wales Rugby League won awards from the Rugby Football League last week, as the 2025 season reached its conclusion.
Former men’s side head coach John Kear, picked up two trophies. The Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association selected him as the 2025 winner of their Merit Award, for services to the sport and its presentation in the media. He was also given a further trophy for outstanding contribution to the game as a whole.
Kear, 70, coached Wales for 21 matches over a 10-year period, second only to Clive Griffiths. Along with ten club coaching appointments and spells with both England and France, he has been a head coach in over 500 professional matches.
In addition, in the last 30 years, he has become one of the most familiar voices of Rugby League nationwide through his work in television and radio.
Also picking up an outstanding contribution award was former Wales captain Craig Kopczak, who announced his retirement from the game earlier this year.
With over 400 professional appearances, which included 22 for Wales and 306 in Super League, Kopczak will go down as one of the all-time great players at the top level.
Current Wales women’s international Dani McGifford was also presented with a trophy for being the top try scorer in the Women’s Super League in 2025, scoring 20 tries in the competition.
Finally, it’s also congratulations to Rebecca Whiteley for winning the Wheelchair Rugby League Referee of the Year. She currently resides back in her native Yorkshire, but many people will remember her from her years with Wales Rugby League, refereeing many running game matches. She switched to Wheelchair refereeing a few years ago, and took charge of this year’s Wheelchair Super League Grand Final.
Everyone at Wales Rugby League would like to send our congratulations to all four.
