WRFU 2023 Awards Night

Last Tuesday evening we showcased the standouts from this season at our 2023 WRFU Awards in the Norwood Room at the Basin Reserve.

WRFU Chair Russell Poole said the awards night is an event he always looks forward to as it brings together the rugby stalwarts from across the province.

“These awards are special because the people involved are from across our whole game. We have a combination of community and our high-performance sides which epitomises what we do in the province. There’s a lot of passionate people here about Wellington Rugby and it’s always great to see us all come together.”

Below, is the list of the 2023 WRFU Award Winners:

COMMUNITY

Sir William Perry Trophy
Highest average aggregate points per team

Winner: Tawa

Dewar Shield

Highest aggregate points

Winner: Petone

Referee of the Year

Winner: Tomas Roche

Club Coach of the Year

Winner: Mason Malagamaali’I (Oriental-Rongotai)

Club Team of the Year

Winner: Old Boys University U85kg Scallywags

Junior Club Volunteer

Winner: Stephen Cross (Avalon)

Senior Club Volunteer

Winner: Ezra Iupeli (Petone)

Board of Directors Award – This award recognises the sterling work and outcomes by the extensive rugby volunteer network in supporting our communities and growing active participation and enjoyment under the rugby banner. Throughout the season, Clubs have been accruing points based on criteria that has been aligned with the Board of Directors Seven Strategic Priorities.

Winner: Upper Hutt Rams

Club Rookie of the Year

Winner (Women): Bailey Nightingale (Petone)

Winner: (Men): Stanley Solomon (Petone)

Erin Rush Best & Fairest – Women’s Player of the Year Award)

Winner: Justine McGregor (Petone)

Billy Wallace Best & Fairest – Men’s Player of the Year Award

Winner: Stanley Solomon (Petone)

HIGH PERFORMANCE

Women’s HPU Best Philosophy

Winner: Ivana Samani (Oriental-Rongotai)

Ken Comber Memorial Cup – Men’s Best Philosophy

Winner: Tofuka Paongo (Tawa)

Women’s HPU Best Performer

Winner: Maddie Feaunati (Marist St Pats)

Al Keown Award – Men’s Best Performer

Winner: Dominic Ropeti (Oriental-Rongotai)

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

U16 Player of the Year

Winner: Drew Berg-McLean (St Pat’s Silverstream)

U18 Girls Player of the Year

Winner: Keiana Roffey (Wellington Girls’ College)

U18 Boys Player of the Year

Winner: Harry Irving (Scots College)

U19 Player of the Year

Winner: Matolu Petaia (Tawa)

Development Player of the Year

Winner: Toby Crosby (Upper Hutt Rams)

Representative Referee of the Year

Winner: Jack Sargentina

Bill Freeman Cup – Representative Coach of the Year

Winner: Wellington Lions Coaching Staff

Pride Rookie of the Year

Winner: Sophie Irving & Harmony Kautai

Lions Rookie of the Year

Winner: Tjay Clarke

Pride Player of the Year

Winner: Monica Tagoai

Lions Supporters Club Award

Winner: Aidan Morgan

Lions Player of the Year Award

Winner: Losi Filipo