High honours for Bay at rugby awards

RECOGNISED: Former All Blacks manager Dick Littlejohn, from Whakatane, received a top honour on Thursday night at the Steinlager Rugby Awards.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union tasted plenty of success at the 2014 Steinlager Rugby Awards.

Among the many high achievers from the Bay, recognised during New Zealand Rugby's night of glitz and glamour on Thursday, were referees Glen Jackson and Nick Briant, All Black Brodie Retallick, sevens exponent Scott Curry, volunteer Mike Nitz, and life-long rugby servant Dick Littejohn.

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers was there on the night and said he was extremely proud of the efforts of those men.

"It was very pleasing to see a cross section of our game represented on the night with players, referees and volunteers all recognised for excellence at our highest level. As a union, we are very proud of all of them."

All Black lock Retallick took home the big one of the evening, the Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year Award.

"Brodie hasn't managed to play a game for the Steamers yet. After signing for the Bay he was selected for the All Blacks and hasn't looked back.

"It is important that we recognise his amazing achievements in 2015 and hope we get to see him pull on the blue and gold hoops at some stage," Rogers said.

The biggest highlight of the evening for Bay of Plenty was the recognition of a real champion of the community game.

Leading administrator and former All Blacks manager Dick Littlejohn of Whakatane played a key role in making the first Rugby World Cup, in New Zealand in 1987, a successful event.

His pioneering work, coupled with a long history of administration in the game locally in the Bay of Plenty and nationally saw him awarded the Steinlager Salver, which recognises an outstanding contribution to the game.

He has remained actively involved with Bay of Plenty rugby and now serves as the union's patron.