Isaac Te Aute, Autumn Stephens, and Kaleb Trask were among the winners at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards held in Mt Maunganui last night. Photo/File
Isaac Te Aute, Autumn Stephens, and Kaleb Trask were among the winners at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards held in Mt Maunganui last night. Photo/File
Young Rotorua talent were among the winners at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Awards held at Club Mount Maunganui last night
Former Rotorua Boys' High School student Isaac Te Aute received the Steamers Rookie of the Year award while Rotorua Boys' High School student Kaleb Trask was voted Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Sportsperson of the Year, following his achievements with the New Zealand Barbarians Schools and Chiefs Under 18's Representative Rugby Teams.
Trask has recently secured a spot in the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Steamers Academy for 2017 and 2018.
"It came as a really big surprise," said Trask.
"I thought I might be in with a chance for a smaller award so it was a real honour to take a big one home.
"It was really great to be involved in the evening and be part of something special.
"Getting this award is a massive deal and I know I'm onto something really good with my rugby for the future."
Waikite and Bay of Plenty Volcanix player Autumn Stephens won Female Maori player of the Year while Rotoiti's Lavinia Gould was named the Volcanix Player of the Year.
Joe Tupe was the stand out for the Steamers collecting both the Steamers Player of the Year and the Steamers Players Player of the Year.
The Steamers forward of the year went to the consistent Aidan Ross, while the back of year was awarded to the illusive Lalakai Foketi.
Joe Tupe was named Player of the Year. Photo/File
Whakatane Marist's Steven Mapu collected the new Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Supreme Award. In February Mapu achieved 500 official Senior A grade games for Whakatane Marist. He commenced his senior career with Whakatane Marist in 1989, at the start of the Bay of Plenty baywide competition and he has played continuously for the past 27 years and is yet to hang up his boots.
In a new initiative this year the Vodafone Award for Player Community Service was presented to Sabastian Siataga in recognition for his contribution to the community.
Steamers team mate Troy Callander and Volcanix representative Kendra Reynolds were also acknowledged for their contribution off the field.
A number of representative awards were introduced, including the WASPS Emerging Representative player, which was awarded to Bay of Plenty Secondary School Girls Player of the Year Tynealle Fitzgerald.
Male Maori Player of the Year was awarded to Devin Tetai for the first time, along with the Bay of Plenty Samoans Player of the Year Jerry Moli.
Rotoiti's Lavinia Gould was named the Volcanix Player of the Year.
In a new initiative this year Bay of Plenty Rugby Union introduced the Service to Sport medal and recognised five volunteers for their service. These worthy recipients included Mount Maunganui Sports' Terry Hurdle, Waikite's Mike and Moana Miller, Patsy Terry-Rawiri from Arataki Rugby Club, Rangiuru's Dennis Minirapa and long-time Bay of Plenty Rugby Judicial Officer Ian Spraggon.
In other community awards, Rangataua Rugby's Premier side were the fitting winners of the Club Team of the Year and their coach Aramahou Ririnui was award Club Coach of the Year following the sides Baywide Premier Club Rugby winning performance for the 2016 title.
Te Puna Rugby Club was presented Club of the Year for their positive contribution to the growth and development of rugby within their community.
Raukura Rugby (Rotorua Boys' High School) and Tauranga Girls' College coaching staff of Jeff Robb and Leo Scott, were respectively presented the Secondary Schools Programme of the Year and Tauranga Girls' College's coaching team received the Coach of the Year.
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union concluded the awards evening acknowledging all contributors, supporters of last night's worthy recipients.
Bay of Plenty Steamers Player of the Year: Aidan Ross Bay of Plenty Steamers Back of the Year: Lalakai Foketi Bay of Plenty Steamers Rookie of the Year: Isaac Te Aute Bay of Plenty Steamers Players Player: Joe Tupe Bay of Plenty Steamers Player of the Year: Joe Tupe
Community Awards:
Secondary School Awards: Secondary School Programme of the Year: Rotorua Boys High School - Rukura Rugby Secondary Schools Schools Coach of the Year: Jeff Robb and Leo Scott - Tauranga Girls College
Club Awards: Club Coach of the Year: Aramahou Ririnui - Rangataua Club Team of the Year: Rangataua Premier 1 Highly Commended Club Team of the Year: Waikite Junior Rugby Club Club of the Year: Te Puna Rugby Club Highly Commended Club Team of the Year: Matata Rugby Club Female Club Player of the Year: Kendra Reynolds Male Club Player of the Year: Steve Mapu Administrator of the Year: Ngahuia Brown, Lyn Rua and Atawhai Hakiaha - Poroporo Rugby and Sports Club Service to Sport: Terry Hurdle - Mount Maunganui Sports, Mike and Moana Miller - Waikite, Patsy Terry-Rawiri - Arataki, Dennis Minirapa - Rangiuru, Ian Spraggon.
Bay of Plenty Referee Awards: Martin Teo Shield Referee of the Year: George Haswell John Cormick Trophy for Most Improved Referee: Neco Blank Allan Oates Memorial Trophy for Referee Coach of the Year: John Donnelly Dave Edwards Trophy for Frist Year Referee of the Year: Reece Uerata Lawrence Medal for Premier Referee of the Year: Shane McDermott
Bay of Plenty Representative Awards: Representative Coach of the Year: Nick Leask Representative Team of the Year: Roller Mills Under 13
Bay of Plenty Samoan's Player of the Year: Jerry Moli Bay of Plenty Samoan's Recognition Award: Ai Aaifou-Olive
Bay of Plenty Female Maori Player of the Year: Autumn Stephens Bay of Plenty Male Maori Player of the Year: Devin Tetai
Bay of Plenty Women's Sevens Player of the Year: Parekura Whareaorere Bay of Plenty Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Jason Heatherly
Bay of Plenty Ellis Shield Under 13's Player of the Year: Ngakohu Walker
Roller Mills Under 13's Player of the Year: Dawson Smith
Bay of Plenty Under 16's Player of the Year: Taitua Woller
Bay of Plenty U18 Secondary School Girls' Player of the Year: Tynealle Fitzgerald
Bay of Plenty Under 18's Player of the Year: Matt Leppard
Bay of Plenty Under 19's Player of the Year: Angus McDonald
Bay of Plenty Development Player of the Year: Nick Evemy
WASPS Emerging Representative Player of the Year: Tynealle Fitzgerald
Bay of Plenty Volcanix Player of the Year: Lavinia Gould
Vodafone Award for Player Community Service: Sabastian Siataga Highly Commended for Service to the Community: Kendra Reynolds Highly Commended for Service to the Community: Troy Callander
