Fiona Shuttleworth and James Elms scoop top awards at Cambridge University RUFC awards night

Fiona Shuttleworth and James Elms were named the Nigel Pett club persons of the year at Cambridge University RUFC’s recent awards night at Selwyn College.

Former captain Shuttleworth, of Pembroke College, and Magdalene’s Elms were recognised for their off-field contributions to the life and running of the men’s and women’s squads respectively, with Daniel Pett making the presentations in memory of his father Nigel, the club’s former executive secretary after whom the award is named.

The achievements of players throughout 2019/20 – a season in which Cambridge won both Varsity Matches – were recognised at an event sponsored by BlueBridge Education prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

Kate Marks, Emma Pierce, Mike Phillips, Chris Bell and Stephen Leonard all earned recognition for playing 50 times for their teams.

David Holdroyd was presented with the John Howard Award for a young player with potential to earn a Blue, and Jenni Shuttleworth won the women’s coaches’ player of the year prize.

The men’s and women’s forwards of the year were Tom Walton and Laura Bleehen, and the backs were Fergus Jemphrey and Coreen Grant.