The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the Man of the Match in the European Premier League Grand Final.
Harry Sunderland was an Australian rugby league administrator and journalist. Born in Queensland in 1889, he held various posts in Australia and was instrumental in popularising the sport around the world. He also had two spells as manager of Wigan RLFC, and died in Manchester in 1964.
Lance Todd was a New Zealander who played for Wigan from 1908 to 1913, and was team manager of Salford RLFC from 1928 to 1940. He led Salford to three League Championships and one Challenge Cup victory, and later became a radio commentator. The Man of the Match award for the Challenge Cup Final was named in his honour in the 1945–6 season, following his death in a road accident. It was financed by a fund organised by Harry Sunderland.
Steve Prescott was a fullback who played for Wigan, Hull and Wakefield Wildcats between 1993 and 2003. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and set up a foundation to raise funds for Christie Hospital and the Rugby League's benevolent fund (Try Assist). He died in 2013, aged 39.
The Man of Steel Award has been presented annually, since 1977, to the rugby league player of the year. It was renamed in honour of Steve Prescott in 2014.
© Haydn Thompson 2017–21