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Principality Premiership 2006-2007 Awards
Tom James celebrates winning the Best Newcomer Award with WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, in Australia on tour with Wales

2006-2007: Best Newcomer Award: Tom James, Cardiff
Tom James was named Principality Building Society Best Newcomer in the Premiership during the second annual Principality Awards in June 2007, and, like his predecessor Alun-Wyn Jones, was then on tour with Wales as an uncapped hopeful.

The Cardiff wing made a massive impact at both club and regional level during the 2006-2007 season complimenting performances for both Cardiff and the Blues with appearances for both Wales U20 and Wales Sevens.

James was also the recipient of the Principality Premiership Player of the Month award in October 2006. Unable to accept the award in person due to Wales tour commitments, the award was accepted by the aforementioned Alun-Wyn Jones. James received a £200 cheque from Principality Building Society in recognition.

Tom James went on to win his first Wales cap two months later against England at Twickenham in a warm-up international for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

Alun-Wyn Jones accepts the award he won the year previously on behalf of the tour Tom James
Alun-Wyn Jones accepts the award he won the year previously on behalf of the tour Tom James

Gafyn Cooper, High Performance Manager for the Cardiff Blues, jointly accepts Tom James's award on his behalf
Gafyn Cooper, High Performance Manager for the Cardiff Blues, jointly accepts Tom James's award on his behalf

2006-2007: Player of the Year Award: Morgan Stoddart, Llanelli
Llanelli fullback Morgan Stoddard won the Player of the Year title in 2007 adding the accolade to his Principality Player of the Month award that he won in December 2006.

Headhunted by the Scarlets, Stoddart stepped up a grade based on his club performances during the 2006-2007 season to represent his region nine times at the highest level playing in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup during the Llanelli Scarlets' run to the semi-finals of the european competition.

Stoddart's efforts earned him £200 from Principality Building Society in recognition of the award.

As he developed as a player during the 2007-2008 season he made his Wales debut against South Africa in the inaugural Prince William Cup fixture, scoring Wales's second try against the recently crowned World Champions in the match at the Millennium Stadium in November 2007.

Morgan Stoddart with the Principality Player of the Year Award

Alex Codling, Principality Premiership Coach of the Year

2006-2007: Coach of the Year Award: Alex Codling, Ebbw Vale
Alex Codling took home the 2007 Principality Premierhip Coach of the Year Award.

The former England international, who joined London Welsh as Forwards Coach the following season succeeded former Wales lock Chris Stephens to the award by beating off competition from Pontypridd's Simon King and Llandovery's Iestyn Thomas.

Codling turned the Steelmen's pack into one of the most feared and formidable in the Principality Premiership and ensured that there was a title race in the league during the 2006-2007 season.

Under Codling's guidance Ebbw Vale finished second in the final reckoning, runners-up to Neath having been top-of-the-table for a substantial part of the season with the Welsh All Blacks having to overhaul them to secure three back-to-back titles.

2006-2007: Fair Play Award: Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale were able to celebrate a double award achievement for the 2006-2007season as, in addition to Codling's Coach of the Year accolade, the Steelmen were named as the winners of Principality's Fair Play award.

The award was voted for by WRU Referees who considered it the best club to visit, determined by its friendly reception towards visiting match officials from both club officials and supporters alike.

Ruth Pratten and Alan Evans were on hand from Ebbw Vale to receive the award, plus a cheque for £200 for the club from Principality Bulding Society presented by the WRU's Manager of Match Officials, Robert Yeman (left) and Principality's Sally Allen (right).

Rob Yeman of the WRU, Ruth Pratten and Alan Evans of Ebbw Vale RFC and Sally Allen of Principality

Roy Jones of Neath receives the 2006-2007's Services to Rugby award on behalf of Roy Evans

2006-2007: Services to Rugby Award, Roy Evans
2006-2007's Services to Rugby accolade was awarded to Roy Evans, a stalwart of Neath rugby club who had spent more than a quarter of a century behind the scenes at the Gnoll contributing to the general overall well-being of the Welsh All Blacks.

Evans was awarded not only a trophy and cheque for £200 from Principality Building Society, but also a framed, limited edition Wales home shirt, signed by the squad during the 2006-2007 season. Unable to attend to collect the award, fellow Neath member Roy Jones was on hand to collect the presentations on Evans's behalf.

Commenting on the awards evening Peter Griffiths, CEO of Principality, said: "These awards are a chance for us to reflect on a competitive and successful season of the Principality Premiership. The calibre of players this league is producing is testament to the set-up in these sides, including the coaches, managers and everyone who works behind the scenes. We, as Wales's largest building society, are proud to be associated with the Premiership and wish all the teams every success for the next season."

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