Dedicated, honest, reliable and respectful were just some of the words which were used to describe Alf Bayly Award winner, Rowan Slater, at an award presentation on Friday afternoon.
The Toko School student was presented with the award by Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) community rugby manager Bruce Major and rugby development officer Jack Kirifi.
The Alf Bayly award is given annually to a primary school player who shows outstanding playing ability, character, sportsmanship and leadership abilities throughout the current season.
Bruce said that Rowan demonstrated these qualities and many more throughout the season while captaining the Toko School team, vice captaining the Stratford Under 13 team and captaining the Central Ross Brown team. He was also a stand-out player in the inaugural Taranaki team for the Northern Region Roller Mills tournament, "It was a privilege working with Rowan. He was a significant part of the team winning the Johnson Cup, awarded for best sportsmanship and conduct on and off the field.
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Advertise with NZME."Rowan is a natural leader and does not ask of anyone what he would not, or does not do himself," Bruce said. "Graham Henry often says that it was more the person he looked at when selecting All Blacks, rather than their playing ability. This young man ticks all those boxes."
Rowan said it was an honour to have been presented with the Alf Bayly award and praised the TRFU for its support.
Without the backing and support of the TRFU I wouldn't have had so many great opportunities to play rugby.
He said working with Bruce through the Northern Region Roller Mills tournament was a highlight of the season. "We were definitely the closest team in the competition, brothers in arms."
The Alf Bayly award was founded in 1909 in memory of Alf Bayly, one of Taranaki's great rugby players. Previous recipients include Graham Mourie, Andrew Slater and Gillies Kaka.
