Tuggeranong Vikings captain Oscar Shaw and Gungahlin Eagles outside back April Downey have been crowned the ACT & SNSW Rugby Union’s best players for 2026, taking out the prestigious Macdougall Medal and Louise Ferris Medal respectively at the annual ACT & SNSW Rugby Union Awards Night.
The awards night also recognised the standout players and talent from across the competitions, alongside the volunteers and many others who make Rugby Union possible across the ACT & SNSW region.
Shaw, fly-half/fullback for the Vikings, earned the Macdougall Medal after establishing himself as the standout player in the BentSpoke John I Dent Cup early in the season.
A mid-season injury was not enough to derail his medal campaign, with Shaw accumulating enough votes to secure the award before returning at fullback in the back end of the year to help lead the Vikings’ finals campaign.
Shaw's medal capped a strong night for the Vikings, who also saw Ryan Schultz named Premier Coach of the Year, Andrew Robinson take out the Anderson Trophy for Sportsmanship, and Terina Ngata claim U18 Female Player of the Year, while the club backed it up with both the Turner Cup and Monaro Cup club championships.
On the women’s side, Gungahlin Eagles outside back April Downey has claimed the Louise Ferris Medal after another standout season, becoming a dual recipient of the award after previously taking out the honour in 2024.
The electric winger/fullback was one of the BentSpoke Premier 15s’ most dangerous attackers, crossing for 22 tries to help propel the Eagles to the top of the 2026 ladder. Downey scored a hat-trick or more on four occasions throughout the season, finishing as a joint-leading try and points scorer alongside Uni-North Owls’ Claudia Obst.
Both players now shift their focus to helping their sides prepare for their respective Grand Finals this weekend, as competitions across the union come to a head at Viking Park.
In another remarkable achievement, Brodie Ingram has been awarded the Peter Lawler Trophy for Referee of the Year for the third consecutive year. The official passed a century of First Grade matches officiated this season, ten years on from becoming the youngest referee to take charge of a John I Dent Cup Grand Final at just 20 years old.
Away from the on-field honours, the union also recognises the volunteers and community contributors who keep the competitions running. Rachael Croker (Crookwell Dogs) was named the ACT & SNSW RU Volunteer of the Year, ahead of finalists Kim Thorsen (Tuggeranong Vikings Juniors) and Langdon Gould (South Coast Monaro Juniors). Darragh O'Byrne (Gungahlin Eagles) was honoured as Community Coach of the Year, while James Lawton was recognised for five years of Services to ACT & SNSW Rugby Union with the ACT Judiciary.
“Congratulations to all the award recipients tonight. It’s wonderful to come together and celebrate the exceptional individual, team and club contributions over the course of this season,” CEO of the ACT & SNSW Rugby Union, Craig Leseberg said.
“This recognition is thoroughly deserved, and I offer a particularly special congratulations to both Oscar Shaw and April Downey on being awarded the Macdougall Medal and Louise Ferris Medal respectively.
“I sincerely thank everyone involved in the game throughout the ACT and Southern NSW, including our players, coaches, match officials and remarkable volunteers, for their incredible commitment and effort this season.”
The individual honours may have been decided, but the season is not over yet.
Attention now turns to Viking Park this Saturday, with the ACT & SNSW Rugby Union’s Grand Finals set to bring the 2026 season to its climax.
For Shaw and the Tuggeranong Vikings, and Downey and the Gungahlin Eagles, the focus shifts from individual recognition to team glory, with both medal winners set to play leading roles as their sides chase premiership success.
After a season of outstanding individual performances, the stage is now set for the biggest games of the year — with Viking Park ready to crown the 2026 champions.
Macdougall Medal: Oscar Shaw - Tuggeranong Vikings
Louise Ferris Medal: April Downey - Gungahlin Eagles
The Michael Hickey Memorial Trophy: Premier Coach of the Year: Ryan Schultz - Tuggeranong Vikings
The Peter Lawler Trophy: Referee of the Year: Brodie Ingram
The ACT & SNSW RU Volunteer of the Year - Winner: Rachael Croker - Crookwell Dogs
The ACT & SNSW RU Volunteer of the Year - Finalist: Kim Thorsen - Tuggeranong Vikings Juniors
The ACT & SNSW RU Volunteer of the Year - Finalist: Langdon Gould - South Coast Monaro Juniors
The Community Coach of the Year: Darragh O'Byrne - Gungahlin Eagles
Services to ACT & SNSW Rugby Union: James Lawton (ACT Judiciary) - 5 years
The Anderson Trophy: for Sportsmanship: Andrew Robinson - Tuggeranong Vikings
The HS Quinn Trophy for Services to Rugby: Craig Robberds - Western District Lions
Tommy Byrne Memorial Trophy: Griffins Rep Player of the Year: Dylan Challita (Uni-Norths)
Kestrels Rep Player of the Year: Sharlize Campbell (Royals)
The Bill Priest Trophy - Monaro Men's Rep Player of the Year: Luke Sparke (ADFA)
Monaro Women's Rep Player of the Year: Tilhaney Grainger (Jindabyne)
Premier 3rd Grade Player of the Year: Evan Nelson - Queanbeyan Whites
Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Player of the Year: Tom Worman - Bungendore Mudchooks
Gus Vallance Memorial Trophy - Highest Point Scorer: Pelasio Samuelu Niuula - Tuggeranong Vikings
John Hunter Memorial Trophy - Highest Try Scorer: Joel Leiper - Queanbeyan Whites
Premier Women's Highest Try Scorer: Claudia Obst - Uni-Norths Owls, April Downey - Gungahlin
Premier Women's Highest Point Scorer: Claudia Obst - Uni-Norths Owls, April Downey - Gungahlin
Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup - Highest Try Scorer: Luke Sparke - ADFA Lions
Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup - Highest Point Scorer: Tom Worman - Bungendore Mudchooks
Canberra Suburban Cup - Highest Try Scorer: George Wawn - Easts Rugby Club &William Thomas - Bateman's Bay Rugby Club
Canberra Suburban Cup - Highest Point Scorer: George Wawn - Easts Rugby Club
Women's 10s - Highest Try Scorer: Eden Klemm - Jindabyne Rugby Club
Women's 10s - Highest Point Scorer: Eden Klemm - Jindabyne Rugby Club
U18 Male Player of the Year: Aidan Wunsch (Daramalan College)
U18 Female Player of the Year: Terina Ngata (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Bob Hitchcock Territory Shield: Queanbeyan Whites
Women's Territory Cup: Gungahlin Eagles
Turner Cup Club Championship: Tuggeranong Vikings
Monaro Cup Club Championship: Tuggeranong Vikings
