# Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters' Association

The Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters' Association (RLWBA) is an association of members of the English news media who write about rugby league in newspapers or present for television and radio programmes. Founded as the Rugby League Writers' Association, it presents a Player of the Year award annually to the best performing player in English rugby league.
Members of the Association who are present at the Challenge Cup Final decide which player should be awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for being man of the match.

## RLWBA Player of the Year

Since 1996, the association has voted on the Player of the Year in recognition of the best performing Super League player that season.

### Winners

| Year | Winner | Club |
| 1996 | Apollo Perelini | St Helens |
| 1997 | Andy Farrell | Wigan Warriors |
| 1998 | Iestyn Harris | Leeds Rhinos |
| 1999 | Iestyn Harris | Leeds Rhinos |
| 2000 | Tommy Martyn | St Helens |
| 2001 | Paul Sculthorpe | St Helens |
| 2002 | Adrian Lam | Wigan Warriors |
| 2003 | Jamie Peacock | Bradford Bulls |
| 2004 | Danny McGuire | Leeds Rhinos |
| 2005 | Jamie Lyon | St Helens |
| 2006 | Paul Wellens | St Helens |
| 2007 | Trent Barrett | Wigan Warriors |
| 2008 | James Graham | St Helens |
| 2009 | Brett Hodgson | Huddersfield Giants |
| 2010 | Pat Richards | Wigan Warriors |
| 2011 | Sam Tomkins | Wigan Warriors |
| 2012 | Sam Tomkins | Wigan Warriors |
| 2013 | Danny Brough | Huddersfield Giants |
| 2014 | Jamie Peacock | Leeds Rhinos |
| 2015 | Adam Cuthbertson | Leeds Rhinos |
| 2016 | Gareth Ellis Danny Houghton | Both Hull F.C. |
| 2017 | Luke Gale | Castleford Tigers |
| 2018 | James Roby | St Helens |
| 2019 | Jackson Hastings | Salford Red Devils |
| 2020 | Bevan French | Wigan Warriors |
| 2021 | Sam Tomkins | Catalans Dragons |
| 2022 | Jai Field | Wigan Warriors |
| 2023 | Lachlan Lam | Leigh Leopards |
| 2024 | Mikey Lewis | Hull KR |

## Merit Award

The Rugby League Writers' Merit Award is awarded annually to a player, coach or official for their services to the game of rugby league. The inaugural winner of the award was Geoff Fletcher in 1982. The award winner is presented with the Arthur Brooks Trophy, named after a former rugby league journalist for the Daily Mirror.

### Winners

| Year | Winner | Role |
| 1982 | Geoff Fletcher | Player and official |
| 1983 | David Howes | RFL Press Officer |
| 1984 | Tom Morton | Club secretary |
| 1985 | John Holmes | Player |
| 1986 | Roger Millward | Player and coach |
| 1987 | Tom Bergin | RL Writers' Association life member |
| 1988 | Trevor Foster | Player and official |
| 1989 | Gary Hetherington | Player and official |
| 1990 | Maurice Oldroyd | BARLA administrator |
| 1991 | John Joyner | Player |
| 1992 | David Oxley | RFL chief executive |
| 1993 | Jeff Grayshon | Player |
| 1994 | Mal Meninga | Player and coach |
| 1995 | Alex Murphy | Player and coach |
| 1996 | Garry Schofield | Player |
| 1997 | Lee Crooks | Player |
| 1998 | Eric Ashton | Player, coach and official |
| 1999 | Shaun Edwards | Player |
| 2000 | Daryl Powell | Player and coach |
| 2001 | Johnny Whiteley | Player and coach |
| 2002 | Peter Fox | Player and coach |
| 2003 | Ray French | Commentator |
| 2004 | Harry Jepson | Administrator |
| 2005 | Colin Hutton | Player, coach and official |
| 2006 | David Hinchliffe | Member of Parliament |
| 2007 | John Wilkinson | Chairman |
| 2008 | Tommy Sale | Player and official |
| 2009 | Steve Prescott | Player |
| 2010 | Malcolm Alker | Player |
| 2011 | Not awarded | Not awarded |
| 2012 | Mark Aston | Player and official |
| 2013 | Dave Hadfield | Rugby league correspondent |
| 2014 | Mike Nicholas | Player, coach and official |
| 2015 | Kevin Sinfield Jamie Peacock | Players |
| 2016 | Richard Bott | Rugby league correspondent |
| 2021 | Bernard Guasch | Chairman |
| 2022 | Jodie Cunningham | Player |
| 2023 | Dave Woods | Commentator |