Presentation: The Peter Wheeler Medal

Leicester Tigers are delighted to announce a new award to be included in the club’s annual player awards.

For the first time in the club’s history, an award will be open to both male and female players.

The award, which will be presented for the first time at the Club Social on May 18 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road is the Peter Wheeler Medal.

Named after one of the club’s most decorated contributors, Wheeler played, coached and served as an administrator at Leicester Tigers.

After making 349 appearances, which included a long spell as captain, Wheeler coached the club to the Courage Club Championship in 1987/88 – its first domestic league season – and then served as chairman when the game entered another he was with professionalism in 1995, before he was appointed as the first executive director.

The medal will be presented by Wheeler on May 18 to the player, from either team, for display Way of the Tigers over and over throughout the season, both on and off the field.

Speaking about the introduction of the award, Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said: “We are blessed with legends at Leicester Tigers in numbers that not many other rugby clubs in the world can boast.”

“The achievements and contribution of Tigers players, on and off the field, to the game – worldwide – is unparalleled. So when trying to decide to recognize an individual by name, it can be a challenge.

“However, when this award was first discussed and what it was about, it was clear that the best representative was Peter Wheeler.

“His time as a player, coach, administrator and – in all those times – a leader at Leicester Tigers deserves this honor and something we know our players will strive for every year to be in the competition at the end of the season.

Wheeler, Pinchen and CEO Richard Wilks will select the winner from a list of nominees. The shortlist for the inaugural Peter Wheeler Medal will be announced closer to The Club Social event.