The annual award is given to an under 11s player who is willing to play whatever position to coach needs from them, is there to lend a hand with off-field duties and always displays outstanding sportsmanship.

Bathurst Junior Rugby president Mike Curtin said the shield has been a longstanding prize and one that holds a lot of value within the club.

"We give the award generally to someone who has played the whole way through the under 11s starting from our youngest age group and it doesn't necessarily go to our best player. It goes to the best club person," he said.

"There's kids we see putting rubbish away, cleaning up changerooms and volunteering to play out of position.

"Anyone on committee who is involved in the under 11s side is invited to take part in the voting, on a 3-2-1 secret ballot. I tally all of it up, and over the last three years it's always been a clear winner."

Even though it's not the intention of the prize, as Curtin stated, the award did manage to find its way to one of the most skilled juniors at the club this season.

Not only has Phillips been a great example of leadership off the field but his on-field abilities saw him named to the region's representative side.

Curtin said Phillips has the admirable combination of great talent and humility.

"Paddy's been fantastic because he is such a likeable and happy kid. He's always one of the first kids to stick his hand in the air and to help out, plus he's great at nurturing younger players," he said.

"It just so happens that this year he happens to be one of our best players at the club. He would have only been in under 11s this year but he'd already been picked in the under 12s Central West Bulls side.

"He was also picked as the captain of the under 12s Bulldogs side this year even though he was in the younger half of the team.

"He's very modest and caring and he's a kid who just loves his club. The other side of the award is that we're looking for someone who the club will retain for next season to go on and be a leader.

"He'll go on to lead our under 12 group next year and be a great ambassador for our club."