The Gozitan back-rower, Clifford Debattista, has been named back to back winner of the Ray Morris Medal, which is the highest individual honour awarded in Maltese Rugby League.

As the RLIF international awards were named, Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Smith was named RLIF International Player of the Year and Australia’s Craig Bellamy the International Coach of the Year.26-year-old Debattista commented, “I honestly have to say I’m surprised and honoured with this award for the second year in a row. It’s more than one could ever ask for”

“I have to thank all the MRL team and administrators, also the overseas based Maltese players, my family, my fiancée and God for helping me achieve so much in a game I love. A great game”

The award recognised the efforts of players since last October, including Debattista’s captaincy of the Malta XIII against the touring Leeds Akkies, his leadership as captain-coach of Gozo RC in the 2012 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship and two appearances as vice-captain for the Malta national team against Denmark in this summer’s international series.

“This award will help me keep motivated and will encourage me to keep working hard with Malta Rugby League and with Gozo Rugby League,” said Debattista from Ghajnsielem.

The Ray Morris Medal is awarded to the Maltese Rugby League Player of the Year, in memory of Ray Morris, an Australian rugby league international who passed away in Malta while travelling to England for the Kangaroo tour of 1933-34.

With previous recipients of the medal including Bradford Bulls playmaker Jarrod Sammut, national team captain Chris Parker and former Malta skipper Daniel Grima, the MRL also acknowledged Chris Parker (Maltese Exiles) and David Axisa (Maltese Heritage RL) for their respective developmental activity being carried out in the UK and Australia respectively.

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