YORK'S rugby league scene won a hat-trick of gongs at the Rugby Football League's Community Awards that celebrate the best of the grassroots game.

Veteran referee - and long-standing committee man of the York and Selby Rugby League Referees' Society - Stuart Evens won the 2015 Adult Match Official of the Year, which is given to the official who has "shown exceptional performance and commitment at a community level and dedicated time and effort".

Heworth ARLC stalwart Ken Sykes won a Services to Community Rugby League accolade, while Annie Potter, who plays touch rugby league in the York City Knights community ranks, won the RFL's Play Touch RL Player of the Year award, having never missed a session.

The awards dinner and ceremony took place in the Captain's Lounge at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, with the prizes presented by Super League players Danny Orr and Andy Lynch.

Evans, who was inaugurated into the York City Knights Legends on Friday night at the Knights' presentation ceremony due to his impact on rugby league in York, said of his Old Trafford trip: "It was an excellent night and I'm very proud to have won.

"The York Legends was totally out of the blue and then this.

"We do it because we enjoy it, but when you get these awards it's very pleasing to know you have been appreciated."

York referee Shane Daniel, a teacher at Huntington School, had been shortlisted for the RFL Teacher of the Year prize but missed out on the gong.

Evans added: "It's a shame he didn't get it as it would have been a full house for York. I spoke to him afterwards, though, and he thoroughly enjoyed the occasion."

The Services to Community RL gong, as given to Sykes, is awarded to a "small number of people each year who have undertaken a specific service for the sport for a number of years".

A citation on Sykes described him as being a "driving force for rugby league in Yorkshire".

It said: "Ken has been involved in the Heworth club for many, many years. He has carried out a number of roles from player in the inaugural National Conference League season in 1986-7, which Heworth won, to becoming a coach, right through to officiating as a touch judge on match days. He is now the club secretary and PRO.

"Ken is a keen champion of the Yorkshire Men’s League and has been very supportive of the competition. His commitment and enthusiasm in the early days of the league and his wide experience was invaluable as the league grew rapidly.

"The Heworth club has some fantastic facilities and Ken is always very obliging in making the facilities available for rugby league events, whether this be finals or the York 9s.

"Ken is an extremely busy man and sometimes his timekeeping can be a little out, which has earned him the nickname within the club of ‘The late Ken Sykes’."

The Play Touch RL Player of the Year award goes to the person who has "shown exceptional commitment to their sessions, attending regularly and encouraging others to take part".

A citation on Potter said: "Annie has never missed a session – even playing on her birthday."