Most Valuable Player
Awarded to the top-performing athlete who contributed the most to the team’s success.
Rookie of the Year
Awarded to the top-performing athlete in their first season with the OIRC.
Most Improved Player
Awarded to the athlete who has shown the most progress during the regular season.
The Nancy MacLeod Award
Before the Ottawa Irish had a women’s side, Nancy MacLeod was a dedicated member of the club. Respected by all for her dedication and determination, she played a key role as an administrator in the eighties by ensuring that the day-to-day organization and finances were in order. As a tribute to Nancy’s tenure with the Irish, the club presents an award in her name every year to the female member of the club, be it a player, manager, administrator, or coach, who epitomizes the spirit of the club.
The Francois Dubois Award
Francois Dubois joined the Ottawa Irish in the fall of 1989, and his impact on the club was immediate. He was always present at training and preseason tours giving 100% effort. His infectious positive attitude was parlayed on the pitch with many talented Ottawa Irish players feeding off his work ethic, strong character, and positive outlook. Francois was a talent that could not be wasted and found himself playing first class rugby in South Africa despite having to travel great distances to practices and games. After one such late night game, Francois was killed in a car accident while traveling home. A year after this tragedy, the South African Embassy and Ambassador, the Honorable Andre Killian, created an award to be presented to the club member who best exemplified Francois' legacy. It is awarded to a person who altruistically gives themselves to the game, to the club, and to their teammates. The recipient reflects the selfless promotion of rugby excellence and the admiration of their teammates.
The Mark Lowry Award
This award is dedicated in memory of the Ottawa Irish President in the mid-1980s, Mark Lowry. During his presidency, Mark worked with several national sports organizations including the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU), Canadian Amateur Rowing, Canadian Amateur Diving, and the World University Games. He was then was appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Olympic Committee where he developed the Own the Podium initiative. Mark Lowry dedicated his career to advancing the development of athletes and sport in Canada. Many Canadian athletes and coaches benefited from the high performance programs. He was responsible for heading Canada's participation at the Olympic and Pan American Games. Lowry also oversaw athlete and coaching programs and supported National Sport Federations. This award is awarded to the club member of the year who contributes to the development of the OIRC program.