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Young Players Receive Spirit of Rugby Awards

26 Aug 2009

The awards recognise contribution to the game over and above playing ability and are given for qualities like leadership, sportsmanship, loyalty, teamwork and determination.
In his opening address, CRFU Rugby Administration Manager Tim Webster referred to a passage in the IRB Charter that talks about the values of the game: “Rugby owes much of its appeal to the fact that it is played both to the letter and within the spirit of the Laws. It is through discipline, control and mutual respect that the spirit of the game flourishes and, in the context of a game as physically challenging as Rugby, these are the qualities which forge the fellowship and sense of fair play so essential to the game’s ongoing success and survival. Old fashioned traditions and virtues they may be, but they have stood the test of time and, at all levels at which the game is played, they remain as important to Rugby’s future as they have been throughout its long and distinguished past.”
The awards were presented by CRFU Amateur Rugby Manager Tim Gilkison and Senior Sergeant John Robinson from the Canterbury Police who have been partnering CRFU in its fair play initiatives.

In addition to the individual awards, (listed below) there were two Overall Spirit of Rugby Winners: Bianca Di Somma from Avonside Girls and Arthur Ualesi-Naoupu from Riccarton High School. This is what their coaches had to say about them:

“Bianca Di Somma is an outstanding leader, player and, above all, advocate for Girls and Women’s Rugby. We see this in her work ethic at trainings and games and the care and time she puts into helping new players. Rain, hail or shine, she will always give her best. And, whether it’s assisting the coaches, manager or our rugby administrator, she is forever offering her help. Bianca is fantastic with new and inexperienced players. She takes the time to ensure they understand drills, so that everybody feels comfortable at trainings and games. This is all reflected in her strong leadership, but what makes Bianca different to the rest is her passion for the game and her willingness to put in the hard yards in order to gain more knowledge and build the profile of women’s rugby.”

“Arthur Ualesi-Naoupu has been a vital member of the 2009 Riccarton High School 1st XV. He is a quiet achiever who possesses the, seemingly effortless, ability to organise and inspire. This year is the first time Riccarton High School has won the Midweek competition, and this achievement is in no small way due to Arthur’s influence on the field through his captaincy. He leads by example, keeping control of his players and delivering instructions where needed with authority and enthusiasm.
A number of referees have complimented him on the manner in which he conducts himself and leads his players during the game. And he is equally hard working off the field where he has created a real team camaraderie and elevated the standing of the 1st XV within the school and the community.

Award winners:
Bianca Di Somma, Arthur Ualesi-Naoupu, Ashnil Kumar, Sirwan Khalandi, Levi Manhire, Iassac Wilson, Reuben Van Ameyde, Cameron Cant, Andrew Inch, Max Dewhurst, Nathan Goodwin, Harley Manwatu, Cameron Sheat, Vaughan Chapman, Jarrod Beaumont, Joel Wunderink, Jonathon Moss, Issac Tull, Martin Westley, Kurt Hewson, Andrew Walker, Patrick Ward, Kerrin Wills, Jacob Rapley, Henry Bithray, Jonny Van Ameyde, Jess Hastings, Siggy Brookland, Rachelle Crequer, Courtney Napa, Anna Rasmussen, Rose Sutherland, Izzy McCammon, Amy Duckworth, Stephanie Tidey, Georgia Williams, Georgia Dougherty, Jessica Whyte, Katerina Galvin, Jessica Panapa.