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.
"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."