Noah Mawene said it “means a lot” to him to have been named Preston North End’s 2023 Scholar of the Year.
The midfielder has captained North End’s U19s throughout the 2022/23 campaign, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and lift the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup.
Alongside his work with the Academy, the 18-year-old has also spent plenty of time with the first team – going on to make his senior debut in December 2022 in a 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
After winning his award, Noah said: “It means a lot. It’s been a fun year, a hard-working year and it’s just a pleasure to win this award.
“It could have gone to anyone because all the scholars have worked hard this year, but it’s always a pleasure to get recognised for your hard work.
“It [the season] has been full of experiences, my debut being one, and the FA Youth Cup run we went on.
“There’s been a lot of positives and negatives to take out of this year, and I’ll go assess in the off-season and get to work ready for next year.”
Midfielder Noah, who committed his future to the club back in June 2021, featured three times on the bench for the North End first team during the 2022/23 season, on top of making his senior bow at Ewood Park.
He added: “You don’t get many opportunities at this level so I’ve been fortunate enough to be with the first team for the past few months.
“Since then I’ve just had to train hard, work hard and just try showcase what I’ve got to offer, and that’s what I think I’ve done.
“I’m always learning from the gaffer and his staff and the players especially, I just can’t wait for next year.”