Bristol Bears’ homegrown hero Joe Joyce has swept up at the club’s end of the season awards.
At the ceremony which was held on Sunday night the second row, who made his 151st appearance for the club in Friday night’s 40-33 victory over Exeter Chiefs, walked away with a hat-trick of awards.
Despite Bristol being packed full of superstar talent and international stars, club stalwart Joyce, 28, was named the Bears’ Team Man of the Season, Forward of the Season and Supporters Player of the Season in recognition of being amongst the club's best performers week-in, week-out,
Joyce played 1412 minutes across 21 games in the Gallagher Premiership this season, also stepping up to take on the captaincy in the absence of Steven Luatua.
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Meanwhile, 23-year-old backrower Fitz Harding’s rise to prominence which saw him take the number eight jersey off former England international Nathan Hughes and keep it for the rest of the season, has capped his year by winning the prestigious Players' Player of the Season, graduating from being named the Academy Player of the Season just last year.
Departing Samoan international Alapati Leiua, who will join French ProD2 side RC Vannes next season, was named the Back of the Season after a sterling campaign playing in multiple positions throughout the campaign.
Loosehead prop Tom Sims was named Academy Player of the Year after making his England U19 debut in a 20-41 victory over Italy U19
Sims also made his senior debut for the Bears in this season's Premiership Rugby Cup.
Colston's School second row Paddy Pearce was named U18s Player of the Season which is some achievement considering the Bears became champions of England this season.
Pearce earned England U18 honours this season and was one of nine players to sign professional academy terms ahead of next season, joining Jimmy Halliwell (tighthead prop),Sam Worsley (fly half), Pete Carter (scrum half), Aaron Tull (back row), Ed Harvey (back row), Joe Jenkins (centre) and Sami Hamid (full back/wing) along with second-row Joe Owen, who joins the Senior Academy after an impressive campaign for Clifton in National Two.
Bristol Bears 2021/22 Award Winners
- Players' Player of the Season - Fitz Harding
- Team Man of the Season - Joe Joyce
- Forward of the season - Joe Joyce
- Back of the Season - Alapati Leiua
- Supporters Player of the Season - Joe Joyce
- Academy Player of the Season - Tom Sims
- U18s Player of the Season - Paddy Pearce
