Canterbury Rugby Awards 2021 – Episode 2 Recap

After a successful first night of awards, in which seven of our community were celebrated, we switched our focus directly to the community game in Episode 2 of the Canterbury Rugby Awards.

Tonight, three new Awards from Canterbury Rugby went on the line, all with a community focus, as we looked to crown a coach, a team and a club of the year from another immensely successful 2021 season throughout the Canterbury Region.

Coach of the Year

The Coach of the Year Award looked to recognise not only a successful coach, but also one that encourages and motivates their team to be better throughout the game of rugby.

With so many great volunteers investing their time during the rugby season, it is not always easy to whittle it down to one, with this year, three coaches were named as finalists for the award. The three finalists for the inaugural Coach of the Year award were Brett Renall (Lincoln Division 2), Craig Mullan (Rangiora High Girls 1st XV) and Joe Gee (HSOB Premier Reserve).

While they are all excellent examples of coaches that not just volunteer their time to advance their player’s skills on the pitch, but also give their time up off it, this year’s winner Joe Gee has given many years to his beloved HSOB club.

Alongside becoming a life member in 2021, Joe has taken charge of the Premier Reserve side at HSOB, known affectionately as Team 2, who have taken a stranglehold on the Premier Reserve grade in Metro, winning the title three years in a row.

Building a strong team ethos, Joe has managed to build a side that contains a strong sense of community, an impressive effort in a grade where numbers had previously been hard to come by.

“We have a great core group of about 8 to 10 players who have been with us every year, and have an awesome support line between the Colts and the Prems that helps build that team culture in Team 2.” said Gee.

“I’m really honoured to be given it (Coach of the Year) at the first time of offering it and after all the years I’ve put in, it’s certainly appreciated.”

After coaching HSOB to titles at Colts, Premiers and now a three-peat at Premier Reserve, it’s certainly fitting to have Joe Gee as the inaugural winner of Coach of the Year.

Team of the Year

The Team of the Year Award sets out to recognise the same attributes that all of our Awards so far show, through success on and off the field, with the finalists this year the Hurunui U15’s, CBHS U75kg Blue and HSOB Premier Reserve.

For the Hurunui U15’s, it is also somewhat a triumph against adversity, with the country club bringing together boys from across the Hurunui district and Kaikoura to form a team that not only had fun week in and week out, but also grew a bond amongst each other that formed an inseparable team come the season end.

Recognised as this year’s Team of the Year, the Hurunui U15’s took out the North Canterbury U15 grade, beating Oxford in the final to cap an extremely successful year for the young side.

“I loved it this year, we had a good team and everyone got along with each other” said Rhys Lewis.

“It’s quite an achievement to be named the best team in the Canterbury region.”

For other players in the side, the Hurunui U15’s allowed them to both stay involved in rugby, but also allowed players to give it a go too.

Young lock Bradyn Marcinowski only started playing rugby last year, joining the Hurunui team to get involved and have some fun with his mates.

Joining an encouraging team environment obviously made an impact on Bradyn, with his highlight for the season the epitome of getting out there and having a go!

“Yeah it’s pretty fun!” Marcinowski said.

“My highlight for the season is probably nearly scoring my first try. I got just short but got picked up, so next season my goal is to get over the line, I’ll try, that’s the mission!”

In an area that traditionally loses players to boarding schools in town, these young boys have represented Hurunui with pride and it’s a nod to their efforts this season in clinching the Team of the Year award for 2021.

Club of the Year

We’re extremely privileged in Canterbury to have over 48 clubs and schools involved in our game, so it makes it tough to whittle it down to just one club, with Prebbleton, Marist Albion and HSOB this year’s finalists.

With growth across their junior and the female sector, as well as implementing a strong governance structure, Marist Albion have worked hard to grow a sense of belonging in the club, that now boasts one of the most loyal followings in Canterbury.

“The club has been growing and improving over the last few years and this is a great way to cap a big 2021.” Club Captain Jimmy King said.

“The game starts with your littlies and it’s just important to get them out and about, throwing a ball around and being involved in the game.”

Representing Canterbury Rugby’s key values of caring, show courage and continually improving, Marist Albion have had a year to remember.