Black Ferns captain wins Bay Rugby supreme award

Black Ferns captain Les Elder is the supreme winner at the annual Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards.

Players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers were all recognised at the ceremony held at the Distinction Hotel in Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers says the awards recognises the success, accomplishments and efforts of the recipients in front of their team mates, family, supporters and sponsors.

'Bay of Plenty has a lot to be proud of this season and these awards is a testament to the growth in our game this season.”

Rogers says a number of individuals were recognised tonight culminating in Elder taking out the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust Supreme Award. The chief executive describes the loose-forward as a natural leader and a great rugby role model for women both young and old.

"On the field Les is uncompromising, and her knowledge of the game is outstanding. Off the field she has the ability to bring players together and bring out the best in them. She sets high standards for herself and for others to follow. She is a deserving recipient.”

'While we acknowledged a number of individual award winners, it is fantastic to share the evening with our staff, board, sponsors, teams and management, and to be able to thank these individuals for their support of Bay Rugby and all that they do for our game.

The chief executive says, 2019 is shaping up to be a special year for the Bay, and the awards evening is a great opportunity to acknowledge what is transpiring.

In the Representative Awards Section, the Bay of Plenty Steamers won the New Zealand Community Trust Representative Team of the year award.While, Steamers coach Clayton McMillan won the Lion Foundation Representative Coach of the Year. For having an outstanding season, Chase Tiatia won three awards culminating with the Rotorua Lakes Council Sports Person of the Year.

Volcanix loose-forward Kendra Reynolds consistent powerhouse performances on the field, has been recognised with this year's DVS Volcanix Player of the Year. Kelsie Wills outstanding first season in rugby, has been rewarded with the Volcanix DVS Forward of the Year and Sapphire Tapsell has won the DVS Volcanix Back of the Year, as well as the Samurai Volcanix Team Award.

Eastern Bay of Plenty rugby player Nephi Sanerive was rewarded for his hard work this season, winning two awards; the One Foundation Te Waiariki Player of the Year and the WASPS Emerging Representative Player of the Year.

In the Community Awards section, Te Puna coach Aidan Kuka received the Spark Club Coach of the Year award, for the great work he did, directing his premier side to their first Baywide championship title in 100 years.

Five people were recognised for their services to Bay Rugby; Charles Kuka, George Rogers, Ron Henderson, Rodney Voullaire and Ron Pearson are recipients of the Spark Services to Sport. Sean Lett received the FMG Rugby Good Sorts awards for his efforts this year. Meanwhile, Carolyn Katu from Rotorua Girls' High School was awarded the Grassroots Trust's Administrator of the Year Award.

Te Puna Rugby Club had an outstanding season this year, not only did the club celebrate its centenary. They also picked up a plethora of club titles including the Baywide Premiers, Premier Development and Senior Reserves titles for the first time in the club's history. These results were recognised tonight, with the R80 Club of the Year Award.

Eastern Bay of Plenty premier side Te Teko received the Farmlands Co-operative Club Team of the Year award for their efforts in the Baywide Competition.

The Lawrence Medal for Best Premier Referee was presented to Sam Fellows for his services to rugby.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards 2019

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Spark Service to Sport Award:

Charles Kuka, George Rogers, Ron Henderson Rodney Voullaire and Ron Pearson

Toi Ohomai Secondary School Programme of the Year Award:

Mount Maunganui College

Bethlehem Coachlines Secondary School Coach of the Year Award:

Leander Huiarangi from Katikati College

Grass Roots Trust Administrator of the Year Award:

Carolyn Katu from Rotorua Girls' High School

FMG Rugby Good Sorts Award:

Sean Lett from Te Puna Rugby Club

Toi Ohomai Female Club Player of the Year Award:

Calli Perrott from Rangiuru Rugby Club

Spark Male Club Player of the Year Award:

Rewita Biddle from Te Puna Rugby Club

Spark Club Coach of the Year Award:

Aidan Kuka from Te Puna

Farmlands Co-operative Club Team of the Year Award:

Te Teko Premier Men's Team

R80 Club of the Year Award:

Te Puna Rugby Club

JMC REFEREE AWARDS

Lawrence Medal for Best Premier Referee:

Sam Fellows

Nick Brian Award for Best Sevens Referee Award:

Jamie Bell

Martin Teo Shield Best Referee Award:

Ryan Waite

REPRESENTATIVE AWARDS

Samurai Under-16 Female Player of the Year Award:

Ayla Bowring

Samurai Under-16 Male Player of the Year Award:

Ngakohu Walker

Samurai Under-18 Female Player of the Year Award:

Olioli Mua

Samurai Under-18 Male Player of the Year Award:

Marshall Barker

One Foundation Te Waiariki Player of the Year Award:

Nephi Sanireve

WASPs Emerging Representative Player of the Year Award:

Nephi Sanireve

Classic Builders Under-19 Player of the Year Award:

Benet Kumeroa

TECT Women's Sevens Player of the Year Award:

Mahina Paul

Distinction Hotels Men's Sevens Player of the Year Award:

Will Ngatai

Ngāwhā Player of the Year Award:

Joe Johnston

DVS Volcanix Back of the Year Award:

Sapphire Tapsell

DVS Volcanix Forward of the Year Award:

Kelsie Wills

DVS Volcanix Player of the Year Award:

Kendra Reynolds

Craigs Investment Partners Steamers Rookie of the Year Award

Emoni Narawa

Spark Award for Community Service:

Baden Wardlaw

Aquaheat Steamers Forward of the Year Award:

Mitch Karpik

Horizon Energy Group Steamers Back of the Year Award:

Fa'asi Fuatai

Samurai Steamers Team Award:

Chase Tiatia

Steamers Warrior of the Year Award:

Matthew Skipwith-Garland

Steamers Player of the Year Award:

Chase Tiatia

New Zealand Charitable Trust Representative Team of the Year Award:

The Bay of Plenty Steamers

Lion Foundation Representative Coach of the Year Award:

Clayton McMillan

Rotorua Lakes Council Sports Person of the Year Award:

Chase Tiatia

Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust Supreme Award Winner 2019:

Les Elder

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