Named for the late S. Marcus Calloway, former chairman and majority owner of Rugby ATL, will be awarded to the player who shows passion, excellence and integrity on and off the field, inspires others to action, shows strength in character, aids those less fortunate, and embraces the core values of rugby, while displaying solidarity, discipline and respect. Read more about the award here.

Award Nominees

 

Marcel Brache

Austin Gilgronis

Philanthropic Selection: Hope of Opelousas

Brache always shows up with a positive attitude and shows through his actions that he is always willing to help someone in need whether that be a teammate or someone he just met. Brache always volunteers to work events that spread the word of AG rugby. He is also passionate about coaching youth athletes and teaching them how to play the game. On top of that he also works very closely with Hope of Opelousas, where he is a mentor to underprivileged youth. Not only does Brache go above and beyond on the field for his teammates, but he is also the first person to lend a hand to someone in need that he may not even know.

 

Carlo de Nysschen

Dallas Jackals

Philanthropic Selection: Miracle League

De Nysschen is an advocate for rugby in both his professional and personal life. Despite his season being impacted by injuries, he found ways to contribute to the team by volunteering as the team’s LooseHeads Ambassador and leading the efforts surrounding Mental health Awareness Month. Outside of the team, De Nysschen ran a rugby clinic for Alliance for Children, a non-profit helping children who are victims of domestic violence in DFW. He also volunteers with Miracle League, a baseball league for disabled adults and children.

 

Robert Povey

Houston SaberCats

Philanthropic Selection: Houston Food Bank

Povey has appeared in 12 matches for the SaberCats and scored the playoff-clinching penalty kick against Seattle. Aside from his accomplishments on the pitch, he has also visited over 50 schools and introduced flag rugby programs to over 1,000 kids. Alongside some of his teammates, he continues to recruit high school football players to participate in the Houston U18 developmental team. Robbie is the coach of both SaberCats developmental teams and continues to inspire his teammates with his enthusiasm and expertise in the sport.

 

DTH van der Merwe

LA Giltinis

Philanthropic Selection: 

Van der Merwe is a leader in the Giltinis franchise on and off the field. During a season in which he was plagued by injuries, he found ways to make a significant impact in the Los Angeles community. For each home game, Van der Merwe dyed his hair a different color to bring awareness to different charitable or community organizations including: Children’s Hospital LA, the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum, and other important pillars of the LA community. His effort to champion First Responders by hosting an official First Responders Match helped launch a long-term relationship between the Giltinis and the El Segundo Fire Department. Van der Merwe also volunteered to help coach his son’s local youth rugby team as part of Los Angeles Rugby Club. Additionally, van der Merwe was the team’s ambassador for Mental Health Awareness month.

 

Harry Barlow

New England Free Jacks

Philanthropic Selection: Operation Homefront

Following a near season ending injury, Harry continued to be an integral part of the team helping the Free Jacks prepare on the field and driving engagement with youth programming, community leadership, and volunteering. Immediately after learning the recovery timeline of his injury, Harry expressed interest in opportunities to get involved in the community, specifically with military nonprofits and started working with Operation Homefront while he was unable to play.

 

Dino Waldren

NOLA Gold

 

Josh Brown

Old Glory DC

Philanthropic Selection: The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Cat Shelter

Brown was the first player ever signed to Old Glory DC. He is dedicated to his profession as a firefighter/paramedic and manages his rugby schedule with his duty to the community. Brown works to grow the game of rugby in America, specifically in the D.C. community by coaching at the seniors club, high school, and youth levels. Brown’s experience & maturity that he brings to the team every single day define the Old Glory DC culture and fuels their drive to never quit.  

Ryan Nell

Rugby ATL

Philanthropic Selection: Rugby ATL Foundation

Nell has shown that he is a leader of men by constantly delivering inspiration to other athletes during times of adversity. His mentality following a post-season loss to LA last season inspired his teammates to rally around each other, hold each other accountable to a higher standard, and paved the way for success this season despite battling the adversity of losing the team’s owner and enduring an overhaul in management. Rugby ATL has never doubted their ability to overcome, which is largely due to  the motivation and inspiration provided by Nell.

Dylan Fawsitt

Rugby New York

 

Ryan Matyas

San Diego Legion

Philanthropic Selection: Legion Community Foundation 

Matyas continues to prove himself as a game changer, making an impact with his team and in the community. From his sincere words of encouragement to pull any teammate out of the slumps to the constructive youth coaching that is always well received by any player or youth coach, he is always considering others in his actions and putting their needs ahead of his own. Knowing the transition from in-season to offseason can be a financial burden to some of his teammates and as the owner of his own business, Matyas will offer work to his teammates to help offset financial gaps.

 

Martin Iosefo

Seattle Seawolves

Philanthropic Selection: Montana Youth Rugby

Losefo is a dual USA International in both the seven aside and fifteen aside game. He is a tremendous ambassador for American rugby players, both current and aspiring. A standout performer on a weekly basis for the Seawolves and a multiple time MLR Team of the Week member. He demonstrates the core values of rugby union while displaying the competitive qualities of a winner. His excellence on the field is also reflected off the field in his support for young players on the Seawolves squad and the community game at all levels.

 

Andrew Quattrin

Toronto Arrows

Philanthropic Selection: Optimism Place

Quattrin is widely regarded throughout the sport of rugby as one of the top players in his position. Off the field, he is widely regarded by staff and teammates as the player who brought the team together. A champion of team culture, a community leader, and inspiring figure to younger players, Quattrin is involved in community events nearly every week during the season. Pouring over 100 hours into community initiatives across Toronto and inspiring his teammates to also contribute, Quattrin has impacted thousands of individuals, primarily youth.

 

Paul Mullen

Utah Warriors

Philanthropic Selection: OnWatch

Mullen is known by his teammates to be willing to help in any capacity. Whether he is volunteering to teach young players the game, attending youth clinics, or even jumping in to coach as a last minute substitute for the Jr. Warriors, Mullen dedicates himself to the game. When he’s not helping grow the game of rugby, he is helping in his community. He was the first player to volunteer to support the MLR’s Mental Health Awareness initiative, encouraging his teammates to also participate. Additionally, Paul is active with OnWatch Charity, which works to combat human trafficking by raising awareness and educating people on the signs. Paul has completed the training himself and advocates on his own social media for others to also take the training and join the movement.