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Melbourne Storm this week paid tribute to the enormous contribution made by former Recruitment Manager Darren Bell, who sadly passed away suddenly before Christmas.
The memorial ceremony was held at AAMI Park in front of over 170 guests, including current NRL, NYC and scholarship players, staff, former employees, Darren’s widow Jackie and close friends.
Bell was the founder and key driver of a number of major Melbourne Storm development programs, along with being responsible for securing the signature of Ryan Hinchcliffe, Bryan Norrie, Todd Lowrie, Matt Duffie, Tohu Harris, Matt McGahan, Ben Hampton, Slade Griffin and many more.
A number of key speakers shared memories and their life experiences with ‘Belly’, highlighted by a moving address from Storm Head Coach Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy spoke fondly of the former recruitment manager, acknowledging the high regard people had for the likeable rugby league administrator and the fact he will never be forgotten by this club.
During this address Bellamy announced a number of annual memorials to be introduced into the Melbourne Storm system, carrying Bell’s name, to ensure his legacy will live forever.
The awards include:
• Darren Bell Medal – The U20s Player of the Year award will be voted on throughout the NYC season and presented at the annual Presentation Ball to the player who polls the most votes.
• Darren Bell Encouragement Award – This award will be presented to the scholarship player who displays the most Melbourne Storm qualities at the annual camp in January.
Darren Bell founded and hosted two annual scholarship camps held in January and Easter, including all Storm scholarship players from NSW, QLD and New Zealand.
This was ‘Belly’s’ perennial highlight every year, sitting right alongside the thrill the humble Queenslander enjoyed from seeing his recruit’s progress to their NRL debut and winning club awards like the 2011 Club Championship.
Please see below for a photo of the inaugural winner of the Darren Bell Encouragement Award, presented to Jake Hargreaves from Brisbane Easts after the completion of the recent scholarship camp in Melbourne on Thursday 12 January 2012.
