It was a good night for Northampton Saints at the county’s Sports Awards, with the club taking home three titles.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder was named Performance Coach of the Year for the second time in succession, with the club as a whole receiving the accolade of Performance Team of the Year after finishing top of the Aviva Premiership table for the first time in its history.
And Calum Clark capped a stellar year by being named Northamptonshire’s Sports Personality of the Year, beating off the likes of England cricketer David Willey, Solheim Cup golfer Charley Hull, and Hannah Barnes, who won the best young rider jersey at the 2015 Women’s Tour of Britain, to take home the award.
The Northamptonshire Sports Awards celebrate all levels of sport and activity, from community and workplace all the way to the elite level.
“Northamptonshire Sport is delighted that the Saints have scored a hat trick of wins at the eleventh Northamptonshire Sports Awards,” said Chris Holmes, director of Northamptonshire Sport. “It is a reflection of the continued success of the club and shows the high regard the club is held in locally.
“Jim Mallinder winning the Performance Coach of the year category for the second year in succession is outstanding and is just reward for his ongoing quest to be the best coach around. It is a huge fillip to the county that it has such a high profile and successful coach is working here. The town of Northampton and the county as a whole are truly grateful for the work Jim has done to turn the Saints into such a force in English Rugby.
“Well done to Northampton Saints for winning the Performance Team of the Year. They’re a fantastic team, playing wonderful rugby and are a true credit to the people of Northamptonshire. The foundations for ongoing success have been well laid and we look forward to more success in the future.
“Meanwhile Calum has had a superb 12 months, winning his first full England cap and becoming an integral part of the Saints’ team. He’s already been recognised at the club, winning their awards at the end of last season, and the Northamptonshire Sports Personality of the Year award shows that his achievements and abilities are recognised by the wider public, too.”
