(Emma Spence, Cara Murphy and Laura Spence pictured at Ravenhill with the new Nevin Spence Memorial Trophy)
The new Nevin Spence Memorial Trophy will be presented to the 2014 Young Player of the Year at tonight’s IRUPA Awards.
The piece was commissioned by IRUPA following the renaming of the award last year to the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year in memory of the Ulster centre.
The trophy was designed by Hillsborough based silversmith, Cara Murphy.
Nevin was awarded the IRUPA Young Player accolade in 2011 and IRUPA members, the players, believe it is a very fitting tribute to Nevin and his family.
Cara’s design utilises solid silver creating a contemporary piece which represents strength, commitment, unity and achievement, attributes Nevin, a former recipient of the Award carried with him every day – both on the playing field and in life.
The piece is comprised of 32 gold plated silver blades representing the 32 counties and is reminiscent of grass, denoting grassroots, the foundation that supports rugby across the island of Ireland.
Central to the piece are four larger silver blades representing the four Provinces; Connacht Leinster, Munster and Ulster – coming together – in achievement and holding aloft a solid silver rugby ball.
The trophy is mounted on a mahogany base and is engraved with the all the winners names since the inaugural award in 2003.
The trophy was presented by the artist to Emma and Laura Spence at Ravenhill
Commenting on the trophy, Emma Spence;
“Our family is delighted with the trophy, it is a fitting tribute to Nevin and a wonderful piece for the Young Player to receive. We’d like to thank Cara for her vision and skill which has created a lasting accolade.”
Artist, Cara Murphy:
“It has been an honour to undertake this commission in memory of Nevin and to create a trophy which symbolises the strength of Irish rugby and celebrate the achievement of the winner.”