Leigh star Edwin Ipape named Championship Player of the Year

Papua New Guinea international Edwin Ipape has scooped the Championship Player of the Year award following a stellar debut season with Leigh.

The 23-year-old arrived at Leigh in January to have the opportunity to be coached by Kumuls legend Adrian Lam.

Ipape has already made a huge impact as the Centurions have romped to the League Leaders’ Shield and Sunday’s promotion-deciding Grand Final against Batley.

The Mount Hagen-born hooker won the Ray French Award as man of the match in their 1895 Cup final win over Featherstone at Tottenham.

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In League 1, Keighley half-back Jack Miller was named Player of the Year after an outstanding season with Keighley. The Cougars dominated League 1 by winning every game they played in as they secured promotion to the Championship.

Miller was one of three Keighley award winners on a memorable night for the Cougars. Coach of the Year went to Rhys Lovegrove. They were also named League 1 Club of the Year.

JDG Media clients Barrow won the equivalent award for the Championship, having made such a positive impact following their promotion from League 1 in 2021.

Paul Crarey was another Barrow award-winner as he was named Championship Coach of the Year having steered the Raiders to a fourth-placed finish.

The winners at the 2022 Championship and League Awards:

Championship

Player of the Year – Edwin Ipape (Leigh)

Young Player of the Year – Sam Eseh (Featherstone/Barrow)

Coach of the Year – Paul Crarey (Barrow) 

Club of the Year – Barrow

League 1

Player of the Year – Jack Miller (Keighley)

Young Player of the Year – George Roby (Swinton) 

Coach of the Year – Rhys Lovegrove (Keighley)

Club of the Year – Keighley

Championship/League 1 Foundation of the Year – Sheffield Eagles

Special Awards – Kevin Nicholas (Batley) & Chris Hamilton (Oldham)

Leigh take on Batley in the Championship Grand Final this Sunday. The winner will take a spot in Super League for 2023.

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