Melbourne Storm has been recognised at the 2014 RLPA Awards in Sydney last night, receiving two awards.
U20 Thunderbolts forward Christian Welch was announced as a joint winner of the RLPA NYC Education Player of the Year award while Melbourne Storm were named the RLPA's Education and Welfare Club of the Year.
RLPA NYC Education Player of the Year - Christian Welch
Christian Welch was named the RLPA's NYC Education Player of the Year alongside Canterbury-Bankstown's Adam Elliot. Each club's welfare and education department nominated a player from the 16 teams with the NRL and RLPA's education and welfare committee then deciding on the eventual winner. Welch will receive a $2,000 grant towards further education. The 20-year old forward was also named in the NYC Academic Team of the Year earlier this month. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University.
RLPA Education & Welfare Club of the Year - Melbourne Storm
Peter Robinson, Brian Phelan, Andrew Blowers
Melbourne Storm's welfare team of Peter Robinson, Brian Phelan and Andrew Blowers were recognised for their hard work throughout the year, being awarded with the RLPA's Education & Welfare Club of the Year award. The RLPA conducted survey of all NRL players, including performance and feedback on each club’s welfare department. The results from the Storm players on the survey, coupled with observations from the NRL and RLPA's education and welfare committee made Storm a standout choice. Each member of Storm's welfare team will receive a laptop.
