Leicester Tigers is excited to announce a brand-new award to feature as part of the club’s annual prizes on offer to players.

For the first time in club history, an award will be open to both men’s and women’s players.

The award, to be presented for the first time at The Club Social on May 18 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road is The Peter Wheeler Medal.

Named after one of the club's most decorated contributors, Wheeler played, coached and served as an administrator at Leicester Tigers.

After making 349 appearances, which included a lengthy period as captain, Wheeler coached the club to the Courage Clubs Championship in 1987/88 – the first national league season – and then served as President when the game entered another era with professionalism in 1995 before being appointed as its first chief executive.

The Medal will be presented by Wheeler on May 18 to the player, from either squad, to have demonstrated The Tigers Way over and above throughout the season in both on and off-field duties.

Speaking about the introduction of the award, Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said: "We are blessed with legends at Leicester Tigers in numbers that not many other rugby clubs around the world can boast."

"The accomplishments and contribution of Tigers players, on and off the field, to the game - worldwide - is unrivalled. So, when trying to decide on recognising an individual in name it can be quite a challenge.

"However, when this award and what it is about was first discussed, it was clear that the best representative was Peter Wheeler.

"His time as player, coach, adminstrator and - throughout all those periods - a leader at Leicester Tigers is deserving of this honour and something we know our players will, each year, strive to be in contention for at the end of the season.

Wheeler, Pinchen and General Manager Richard Wilks will select the winner from a list of nominees. The shortlist for the inaugural Peter Wheeler Medal will be announced closer to The Club Social event.