FOLAU AND HEWSON TAKE OUT TOP AWARDS

NSW Rugby celebrated the achievements across the State at its annual Awards ceremony tonight.

On a night that acknowledged rugby from the beach to the bush, it also highlighted the tremendous contribution of the game’s volunteers.

Taking out the Matthew Burke Cup was Israel Folau, who ended the Super Rugby season on 14 matches, including 11 tries.

The Matthew Burke Cup, named after the NSW fullback who played 115 games for the State between 1992 and 2004, is the players’ player award and decided by tallying the votes of the match day squad, who allocate their votes on a 3-2-1 basis after every game of the Super Rugby season.

Folau earned 99 votes, ahead of Michael Hooper (77), Michael Wells (71), Kurtley Beale (65) and Taqele Naiyaravoro (64).

NSW Women’s Player of the Year was Ash Hewson, who captained the State team to the inaugural Super W title earlier this year. It has been an extraordinary year for Hewson, who held her nerve in extra time to successfully kick a penalty in the 92nd minute of the final against Queensland Women to clinch the match. Last week she also captained Sydney University to the Jack Scott Cup title.

NSW Rugby and NSW Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore said: “Tonight was about recognising and acknowledging the immense work that is done across the State and at all levels of the game. Regardless of whether people are paid or not, they give 100% for the love of the game.”

NSW Rugby also tonight acknowledged Hugh Roach, Matt Sandell and Brad Wilkin who will farewell the State at the conclusion of this year’s National Rugby Championship.

Roach has been a in the NSW Waratahs set up since 2014 and in that time played 41 games for the State, including 39 Super Rugby matches. Wilkin made his Super Rugby debut this year and ended the season with six caps to his name. Both Roach and Wilkin have signed with the Melbourne Rebels for 2019.

Sandell is in the Sydney team playing in the NRC and yet to make his Super Rugby debut.

AND THE WINNERS WERE……..

Matthew Burke Cup winner
Israel Folau

NSW Women’s Player of the Year
Ash Hewson

Volunteer of the Year (Youth)
Dan Leadley of the Maitland Blacks

Volunteer of the Year (Seniors)
The Camden Rugby Club Chain Gang

Rugby Young Community Match Official of the Year
Todd Cummings of Graystanes High School

Rugby Community Match Official of the Year
Ian Mooney of the Sydney West Rugby Referees Association

Community Coach of the Year (Youth)
Greg Wyatt-Spratt of the Hunters Hill Club

Community Coach of the Year (Female)
Sarah Laman of Epping Boys’ High School

Community Coach of the Year (Seniors)
Tom Cullen of the Coonamble Rams Club

Spirit of Rugby – Girl Player of the Year
Abby Holmes of the University of Wollongong

Spirit of Rugby – Boys Player of the Year
Finn Graham of St Joseph’s College

Spirit of Rugby – Colts Player of the Year
Jack Radford of the Northern Suburbs Club

Matthew Street Shield (for the best and fairest player at the National Schools Championship)
Joey Walton of Wadalba High School

David Dennis Youth Development Player of the Year
Josh Kemeny of Sydney University

Will Tanner Medal for the NSW Country Player of the Year
Tuumuliilevao Taiti-Taanoa

Kentwell Medal for the NSW Suburban Representative Player of the Year
Charlie Gamble of the Petersham Rugby Club

Ken Catchpole Medal for the NSW Premiership Player of the Year
Adrian Musico of the Parramatta Club

Club of the Year
Maitland Blacks

Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Medal
Harry Johnson-Holmes

NSW Waratahs Best Back
Kurtley Beale

NSW Waratahs Best Forward
Michael Wells