Steamers player Tino Nemani won Player of the Year at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards on Tuesday night. PHOTO/FILE
Bay of Plenty Steamers player Tino Nemani collected the accolades at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards held at ASB Arena in Tauranga last night.
Nemani received both the Players Player of the Year and the Steamers Player of the Year awards.
In his acceptance speeches Nemani acknowledged the support from the coaching team of Clayton McMillan, Rodney Gibbs and Dave Dillon, and from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.
Nemani also thanked and recognised the contribution from his team mates.
Steamers Rookie of the Year went to Chase Tiatia.
Tiatia was humble in his acceptance of his award and was excited as to what the future might bring for him in the Bay of Plenty.
The Volcanix Player of the Year was awarded to Luka Connor who has had a successful season being a part of the undefeated Waikite women's side and been selected to trial for the Black Ferns.
In a new initiative community awards were presented to recognise the contribution that clubs, coaches and volunteers make to growing and strengthening the game.
Awards presented by Bay of Plenty Rugby Union President Graeme Crossman included Volunteer of the Year Colin Henderson for his outstanding contribution and support of the Tauranga Sports Rugby Club.
Team of the Year went to Waikite Women's who were undefeated throughout their campaign and successfully won the 2015 Bayfair Baywide Premier Club Title.
The Above and Beyond Award was awarded to Charlie Russell who is the driving force behind the Arataki Rugby Club.
Coach of the Year was jointly accepted by Tauranga Sports Premier coaches Mike Rogers and Cory Sweeney.
The final community award of the evening was presented to Te Puke Sports for Club of the Year.
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Fundraising efforts for BOOBOPS, Breast Cancer, and James who suffers from quadriplegia cerebral palsy highlighted the community pride and passion the club puts first.
The Steamers will head to Napier to play the Hawke's Bay Magpies on Saturday afternoon in the ITM Cup Championship Semi Final.
Tickets to the Semi Final match at McLean Park are available via www.ticketdirect.co.nz. Ticket prices are $20.00 for adults and children.
2015 Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Award Winners:
Referee Awards:
Allan Oates Memorial Trophy for Referee Coach of the Year: Graeme Meyrick
President's Trophy for contribution to refereeing: Glenn and Jaydon Moore
John Cormick Trophy for the Most Improved Referee: Mate Samuels
Martin Teo Shield for Referee of the Year: Jamie Bell
Bay of Plenty Steamers:
Forward of the Year: Johan Bardoul
Back of the Year: Chase Tiatia
Trainer of the Year: Caleb Hall
Rookie of the Year: Chase Tiatia
Player of the Year: Tino Nemani
Players' Player of the Year: Tino Nemani
Bay of Plenty Volcanix:
Best Forward: Kaci James
Best Back: Teagan Wallace
Player of the Year: Luka Connor
Community Rugby Awards:
Volunteer of the Year: Colin Henderson
Above and Beyond Award: Charlie Russell
Team of the year: Waikite Women's
Coach of the Year: Mike Rogers & Cory Sweeney
Club of the Year: Te Puke Sports
Highly Commended Club of the Year: Te Puna Rugby Club
Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens:
Player of the Year: Matty Axtens
Bay of Plenty Women's Sevens:
Player of the Year: Takiri Butler
Bay of Plenty Development:
Best Forward: Lars Morrice
Best Back: Jone Langimbollah
Player of the Year: Tim O'Malley
Bay of Plenty U19's:
Best Forward: Thomas Allen
Best Back: Zane Croswell
Player of the Year: Thomas Allen
Bay of Plenty Secondary School Girls':
Back of the Year: Leah Wilson
Forward of the Year: Lily Florence
Player of the Year: Ngarangi Ruri- Terupe
Bay of Plenty U18's:
Back of the Year: Rewita Biddle
Forward of the Year: Sione Afu
Player of the Year: Kaydin Budd
Bay of Plenty U16's:
Back of the Year: Kaleb Trask
Forward of the Year: Mafi Fifita
Player of the Year: Guillaume Martell
Western Bay of Plenty U15's:
Back of the Year: Gilbert Bidios
Forward of the Year: Taituha Woller
Player of the Year: Louie Grindrod
Central Bay of Plenty U15's:
Back of the Year: Tama Te Aute
Forward of the Year: Taylor Soutar
Player of the Year: Tama Te Aute
Eastern Bay of Plenty U15's:
Back of the Year: Pani Wana
Forward of the Year: Caleb Olsen
Player of the Year: Daniel Teepa
Western Bay of Plenty U14's:
Back of the Year: Kahi Borrell
Forward of the Year: Ryan Bosselman
Player of the Year: Thomas Murray-Edwards
Central Bay of Plenty U14's:
Back of the Year: Jordan Tuakana - Hudson
Forward of the Year: Bernie Hati
Player of the Year: Kahlil Aldworth -Bidois and Rayna Whakaari.
Eastern Bay of Plenty U14's:
Back of the Year: Jordy Fleming
Forward of the Year: Keeley Sexton
Player of the Year: Keeley Sexton and Jordy Fleming.
Roller Mills:
Best Forward: Xavier Mitchell-Winsor
Best Back: Ethan Stuart
Player of the Year: Epoki Polaapau
Ellis Shield:
Back of the Year: Kaleb Trask
Forward of the Year: Mafi Fifita
Player of the Year: Guillaume Martel
Bay of Plenty U13's:
Back of the Year: Tewi Heta
Forward of the Year: Darcy Hoskins
Player of the Year: Nephi Sanerive