Royals stalwart Whitton won the lifetime volunteer of the year award, while Uni-Norths Owls man Norval was named the volunteer of the year.

Whitton has been a Royals board member since the mid-1970s and still holds a position in leading the Phillip-based club.

He has been a coach through the same period and was described as a "formidable presence" in the Canberra rugby community.

​"Lots of people know rugby, some can teach it, but there are very few people like our modest Dougal Whitton who can bring heart, resilience and exude the values of this sport," the nomination said.

"He has helped maintain the survival of ACT women's rugby over several years and foster generations of players, most of whom have gone on to elite level and Olympics.

"He works vigorously in the background for players that may be struggling mentally, physically or financially, just to get them back on the park to be a part of the game, and the Canberra Royals Rugby community."

Whitton and Norval rubbed shoulders with Australian rugby's elite at the awards night in Sydney, with the Wallabies' best players being honoured before they fly to Europe for a spring tour.

Norval has been the Owls' first-grade manager for the past three seasons and has been an instrumental figure in developing junior players through a variety of ACT representative roles.

"It is the small things Deon does around the club that provides our players with a sense of professionalism and comfort that all they have to do is turn up and perform that really adds to the on-field effectiveness of the club," the nomination said.

"Deon always has spare shorts and socks available for players who forget their own or are playing their first game, thus ensuring our sponsor obligations are met.

"Deon is one of the hardest working people in local sport and his unassuming nature and general good humour are a delight to have around the club and he would be a very worthy recipient of this award."