McCall the big winner at Dragons end of season awards



Rhodri Evans

Niamh McCall won the players’ player and MVP of the season awards at the LexisNexis Dragons end of season awards.

Leah Middleton also picked up two awards on the night, scooping up the coaches’ player of the year and fan favourite of the year awards.

Bethan Dyke won Dragon of the year, while centre and wing defence Ellen Withington winning most improved player of the year.

The evening recognised a campaign that saw the Dragons finish fifth in the NSL, their highest league position and points tally since 2014, narrowly missing out on a Grand Final play-off place.

It marks a significant step forward for a club that has rebuilt with intent over recent seasons, and a season that reflects a positive start to Wales Netball’s Ymladd 2030 vision.

The awards celebrated achievement across both the Dragons and the NXT Gen Dragons, the next generation of Welsh netball talent coming through the performance pathway.

“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as a team this season,” head coach Reinga Bloxham said.

“We aimed to make top four and came close to doing that. We have worked hard throughout this season setting clear expectations and standards of how we wanted our team and performance culture to be delivered.

“Finishing fifth and pushing so close to play-off is our strongest season in over a decade which is credit to the support staff and players in this team.

“Tonight is about celebrating the journey of season 2026 as a franchise and recognising the amazing athletes and achievements this season.

“Choosing awards winners is always difficult as everyone has contributed to the success of this team. However, each award winner has earnt this recognition through their own individual values and performances and it is great to be able to identify and recognise this.”

Five awards were presented to each squad, recognising the players who defined the season on court, in the changing room and with supporters.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions Dragons award winners:

  • Dragon of the Year: Bethan Dyke
  • Players’ Player of the Year: Niamh McCall
  • Coaches’ Player of the Year: Leah Middleton
  • Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year: Niamh McCall
  • Most Improved Player of the Year: Ellen Withington
  • Fan Favourite of the Year: Leah Middleton

NXT Gen Dragons award winners:

  • Dragon of the Year: Thea Rhodes
  • Players’ Player of the Year: Alice Clarke
  • Coaches’ Player of the Year: Celyn Emanuel
  • Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year: Caris Morgan
  • Most Improved Player of the Year: Alice Clarke

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