Horowhenua StarThe annual Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Awards held on Wednesday night was as much about celebrating on-field success as it was recognising the contributions of volunteers off it.
While the achievements of players and teams were recognised, so were volunteers and officials doing the unseen mahi behind the scenes.
More than 120 life members, union committee members and club delegates attended the awards, held in the Hudson Room at Levin Cosmopolitan Club, celebrating everyone contributing to the success of the game.
On the field, the representative team managed a Lochore Cup final, player Kahn Fotuali’i made the NZ Heartland XV, and age grade player Lazzoryss Tovo made a Hurricanes U18 squad.
Both players received awards – Kahn for Heartland Player of the Year and Lazzoryss for Young Māori Player of the Year.
Connor Paki was Māori Player of the Year after a fine season in the midfield for both HK and his Foxton club, while Penesi Taisia was Pasifika Player of the Year. Young lock Mikaere Harvey was awarded Heartland Most Promising Player.
Former player and Heartland and HK manager Thomas Zimmerman won Coach of the Year on the back of the success of Foxton, while HK coach Aleni Feagaiga won Representative Coach of the Year.
Paraparaumu and Rāhui senior club teams won conduct awards in their respective grades – a real badge of honour as the game works hard to stamp out referee abuse and champion volunteers.
Ashton Foote was awarded Club Referee of the Year.
Brian Allan was recognised for his commitment and passion for rugby and his community as Supporter of the Year, while Polu Samuelu and Reuben Butcher were recognised with awards for their volunteer work.
Off the field, Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union has become a poster child for sustainability, balancing the books again this season in posting its 17th consecutive financial surplus.
It’s not by accident. It’s something that HKRU chief executive Corey Kennett is aware of, and proud that the union can live within its means.
“It’s not to put shade on other unions that aren’t, but we’re always working really hard in that area and it’s reflective of our entire team and the work they do, and the volunteers that help,” he said.
In what is another boon for the union, for the first time it has had more than 5000 players registered – 5110 – meaning it now has the largest participation numbers of all the New Zealand Heartland provinces.
HKRU will be holding its annual general meeting on December 1.
AWARDS AND WINNERS
Kevin De Castro/KB Swain Cup – Rāhui.
Robinson Rosebowl – Paraparaumu.
Club referee of the Year – Ashton Foote.
Supporter of the Year – Brian Allan (Athletic).
Saturday Morning Volunteer of the Year – Polu Samuelu (Shannon).
Volunteer of the Year – Reuben Butcher (Waikanae).
Club Coach of the Year – Thomas Zimmerman (Foxton).
Māori Colt Player of the Year – Lazzoryss Tovo.
Māori Player of the Year – Connor Paki.
Colt Player of the Year – Jacob Keating.
Pasifika Player of the Year – Penese Taisia.
Heartland Most Improved Player of the Year – Brad Reilly.
Heartland Most Promising Player of the Year – Mikaere Harvey.
Heartland Player of the Year – Kahn Fotuali’i.
Representative Coach of the Year – Aleni Feagaiga.
Team of the Year – Heartland.
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