YORK Knights have nominees in all three Betfred Championship categories at the RFL’s End of Season Awards.

Industrious forward Jordan Thompson has been nominated for the Player of the Year, and outside back Brad Ward for the Young Player of the Year, whilst head coach Mark Applegarth is on the shortlist for Coach of the Year.

The Knights’ season though is not over yet, with the club hosting Widnes Vikings tomorrow afternoon (3pm) in the Play-off Eliminators.

Nominees and winners are decided by a poll of coaches at the 14 Championship clubs.

As expected, runaway League Leaders’ Shield winners Wakefield Trinity lead the number of nominations with four. Former Heworth youngster Oli Pratt is in the running for Young Player of the Year, full-back Max Jowitt and forward Ky Rodwell for Player of the Year, and coach Daryl Powell for the Coach of the Year.

Wakefield's Oli Pratt, who learned his trade on loan with the Knights last season, is among the Young Player of the Year nominees.Wakefield centre Oli Pratt, who learned his trade on loan with the Knights last season, is among the Young Player of the Year nominees. (Image: Craig Hawkhead) Toulouse Olympique have picked up two nominations – Anthony Marion for Player of the Year and coach Sylvian Houles for Coach of the Year – whilst Bradford Bulls’ Jaden Myers is nominated for the Young Player of the Year.

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York’s trio of nominations come after an outstanding second half of the season, during which Applegarth has taken the club from the relegation zone to a fourth-placed finish, their highest since 2019.

That run has included a historic first league double over Featherstone Rovers since 1957, and a first win in Toulouse in 13 years, as well as notable victories against top six hopefuls Sheffield Eagles and Widnes in a tricky final month of regular season fixtures.

The head coach though remains typically humble about his achievements, instead often passing the praise to the togetherness of his squad and the work of coaching staff Paul Cooke, Ged Corcoran and Will Leatt ahead of himself.

Ward has earned his nomination after a breakthrough season on the left wing, having made the position his own ahead of 2023 top-scorer AJ Towse.

The 22-year-old spent the beginning of the season with dual registration partners Newcastle Thunder but cemented his place in the squad under Applegarth, scoring six tries in the opening nine matches under his new boss.

His most recent try came at Wakefield Trinity three weeks ago, his side’s only response in a 20-4 defeat at Belle Vue.

Thompson is among the first names on the Knights’ teamsheet, having been an ever-present for the club outside of suspension.

Consistently able to play the full 80 minutes at either prop or loose forward, he is known for his workman-like performances and has scored six tries in 27 appearances this season.

The winners will be revealed at the Rugby League Awards at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Tuesday evening, alongside the coveted Man, Woman, and Wheels of Steel.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Max Jowitt (Wakefield Trinity), Anthony Marion (Toulouse Olympique), Ky Rodwell (Wakefield Trinity), Jordan Thompson (York Knights)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jayden Myers (Bradford Bulls), Oliver Pratt (Wakefield Trinity), Brad Ward (York Knights)

COACH OF THE YEAR – Mark Applegarth (York Knights), Sylvain Houles (Toulouse Olympique), Daryl Powell (Wakefield Trinity)