2023 Canterbury Rugby Awards – Community Awards
On Wednesday night, we celebrated our Community Rugby awards, highlighting the impressive efforts of those who make our club and schools game tick.
Volunteer of the Year – Hunter Johnston (Christchurch)
This year’s Volunteer of the Year is Christchurch Club Captain Hunter Johnston. Hunter is well known for always being the first to put up his hand at his beloved Christchurch, where he has also previously acted as the Junior Club Captain.
When asked about the award and what it means to him, Hunter said “You get so much reward out of it, for giving back to your community and your club, and just seeing the smiles on the faces of the adults and kids that show up, it’s great to be acknowledged for what we do (at Christchurch).
Finalists: Michelle Tocker (Woodend) and Steven Richmond (Marist Albion)
Coach of the Year – Robbie Fruean (Horomaka Combined 1st XV)
Former Canterbury Rugby midfielder Robbie Fruean is Coach of the Year in 2023. Robbie has been instrumental in the establishing of the Horomaka Combined side, who entered into the Miles Toyota Championship for the first time this season, creating an exciting new pathway for students of Hillmorton, Riccarton High and Hornby High.
For Robbie, it’s as much about those that have helped get him here, as it is the work he has done on the grass this season. “It’s a reflection of the hard work of everyone who has helped the team and I get here. You know, the hard work of our manager, the other coaches and all of our parents who support the programme and are constantly down at our games.
“It would mean the world to me, as it would show that we got the right people around us to be influencing these boys’ in a manner that allows them to choose good all of the time.”
Finalists: Angis Sisifa (Christchurch Girls’ High School) and Anna Livingstone (HSOB)
Community Team of the Year – Halswell-Wigram Battlers (Metro Classics)
Creating a welcoming environment that encompasses their whole club that has seen them become Community Team of the Year, the Halswell-Wigram Battlers take out this award. As the club’s sole senior side, the Battlers have worked hard on fostering a relationship with their junior club, while also creating a home for players and supporters, no matter their previous rugby experience.
“It’s amazing and really special for us” said team member Dan Barry, “It’s such a great bunch of guys.”
“It’s so fulfilling seeing the guys that have never pulled on the footy boots before, join us looking for that friendship and comradery, finding their new home.”
Finalists: HSOB Light Bears (U85 Club Cup) and Oxford U18 (Combined U18 Competition)
Tom Doocey Cup for the No.1 Referee – George Haswell (Metro)
A consistent performer at the top level, George Haswell again receives the Tom Doocey Cup for the No.1 Referee. George has performed consistently across the season, taking charge of games across a range of levels, including the Bascik Transport Metro Premier Final and first class fixtures in the Bunnings Heartland Championship and Farah Palmer Cup.
Refereeing provides Haswell with “a great challenge”, something that he finds very rewarding and what he enjoys most about refereeing. “I’ve refereed in lot’s of different provinces in New Zealand, but there’s nothing really like Canterbury Rugby, it’s really competitive, and this helps bring the best out of us as referees.”
The President’s Cup for Best All Round Referee Member – George Welch (North Canterbury)
The Canterbury Rugby Referees’ President’s Cup is an award given to the best all round member, someone who has volunteered their time across the whole of the association. This year’s worthy recipient is George Welch. George has volunteered considerable time to the coaching and development of referees across Canterbury, serving on the Management committee and can be seen at clubs throughout North Canterbury all winter.
“This award is a recognition of the referees as a whole group.” said Welch, “to me it’s not just an individual award, like all associations, everyone plays a vital role, I’m only one cog of a big wheel.”
School of the Year – St Thomas of Canterbury College
Fostering an inclusive environment across the entirety of their rugby programme, St Thomas of Canterbury College are the School of the Year. As well as seeing success across a range of their age group sides, St Thomas have consistently grown their player base over the last few years, as they add their name to the premier rugby schools in the region.
Paul Burton of St Thomas said when asked about the award recognition that it was a great reflection of “the success, growing numbers and participation that the school is seeing.”
“For us, it’s a constant challenge year-on-year to be a consistent rugby school, but also not losing sight of what the true value in it is, and it’s connection and the quality experience and fun for our boys.”
Finalist: Christchurch Girls’ High School
Club of the Year – Prebbleton (Ellesmere)
Unprecedented success on the field and the creation of a strong team culture off it has propelled Prebbleton to Club of the Year honours. Winning four Ellesmere senior finals, the club has successfully grown a women’s pathway, with junior girls’ teams now adding to their U17 Girls’ and Senior Women’s sides.
“It’s great for Prebbleton” said Club President Jeromy Knowler, “We’ve had a pretty good year and we’ve still got some lofty goals to achieve next season, so to be acknowledged for what we have already achieved so far, is pretty special.”
“We’ve built a great community feel for our wee town, it’s really special to head down to the club on a Sunday and see 20 kids kicking a ball around proudly wearing their club hoodies and that epitomizes what we are about.”
Finalists: Springston (Ellesmere) and High School Old Boys’ (Metro)
Club Centurions
Canterbury Rugby would like to take a moment to acknowledge and congratulate our club centurions in 2023, members of our community who have given extraordinary amounts of time for their beloved sides.
Ellesmere:
- Kieran Miekle - 100 - Darfield
- Tyler Williams - 100 - Hornby
- Hamish Maw - 100 – Southbridge
North Canterbury:
- Jacob Hurring - 100 - Kaiapoi
- Brennen Kara- 100 - Kaiapoi
- Mel Mills - 100 - Kaiapoi
- Craig Stockwell - 100 - Woodend
- Joel Stockwell - 100 – Woodend
- Adam Brand - 100 - Woodend
- James Pitama - 100 - Woodend
- Mike McCoy - 100 - Woodend
- Matthew Kippenberger - 100 - Ashley
- Kerran Jenkins - 100 – Saracens
Metro:
- Kaylee Tavendale - 100 - Christchurch
- Steph Te Ohaere-Fox - 200 - Christchurch
- Anthony Tailua - 100 - Linwood
- Tom Ziolo - 100 - Sumner
- Matt Bateman - 100 - Sydenham
- Tamara Toaolamai - 100 - HSOB
- Michael Direen - 100 - Suburbs