On Saturday the Devils family gathered together to recognise their achievements in 2018 and give thanks to those who helped make it such an outstanding year for the club. Successful inclusion into the National British American Football League, a winning first season and playoff football. As well as continued growth and prosperity off the field and the coveted BAFRA John Slavin Award for 2018 Best Field in British Football meant there was much to celebrate.
Arriving at the Mercure Hotel Norwich, the suited players and coaches, and their partners looking magnificent in their amazing gowns, were immediately given the red carpet treatment when a photographer was on hand to capture them looking their finest. Pre dinner drinks got the party started and the evening was interspersed with a superb and plentiful buffet as well as speeches by outgoing Head Coach Chris Mills, retiring Team Captain Alan Baxter-smith and GM Chris Handley. After a comedic and heartfelt song about the season and the departure of Devils Stalwart Baxter-Smith, written and performed magnificently by the Devils own Ed Sheeran, Jordan Knights,
there was a charity raffle in aid of Norwich Mind which raised £365 for the worthwhile cause and allowed those not picking up an award to take something home.
Defensive Captain Liam Lane hosting the event then proceeded to hand out the awards as follows:
Team MVP
Harris Todd
Offensive MVP
Andre Belles-Flores
Defensive MVP
Piers Harrison-Reid
Special Teams MVP
Harris Todd
Rookie Of The Year
Ben Hart
The Perriton Award
(Most Improved Player)
Ed Bowling
Lineman Of The Year
Luca Ferrera
Coaches’ Player Award
Charlie Keohane
The Richard Green Award
(Biggest Contribution to the Club)
Laura Handley
Players’ Player
Charlie Keohane
Special thanks go to:
Steve Palmer at A Memory Captured who stepped in to be the Event Photographer at short notice.
Katy Rayner of Bracken and Twine Flowers for her excellent table centres.
Matt Bowers for his superb designs, which adorned the photo backdrop at the awards and pretty much all our publicity throughout the year
DJ Sebina for her sound, lighting and Disco. Everybody danced till they dropped and we couldn’t have had such a successful night without you.
The Mercure Hotel for providing the venue and such a tasty food.
EP Sports, Football America, Norfolk Museums, Float Norwich, Kettle Foods, Game, Television and Movie Store Norwich, One Life Left, Harvey Armitage PC, Evolution Gym, Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, The Bear Shop, Highball, Funkys, Mr Barbers, Harperwells, Fraser Hart, Hollywood Cinema, Hilton Heating, Carly’s Mobile Hairdressing, Slaters, The Bowling House and Mercure Hotels, as well as many more, for providing such wonderful raffle prizes.
And last but not least, Emma Wilkinson for organising the event and Alan Baxter-Smith, Vicki Dower, Quilty Keohane, Natasha Bunyan, Katy Rayner and Liam Lane for their support in making it look wonderful and bringing everything together.
Congratulations to all the award winners, here’s to a great 2018 and an even better 2019.
