TURNER AWARDED SONNY FAI MEDAL

Paul Turner.jpg

Auckland, New Zealand, September 03, 2019 – Halfback Paul Turner won the top honour at the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ 2019 awards at Mount Smart Stadium on Tuesday night picking up the Sonny Fai Medal as the club's Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year.

The 19-year-old, born and raised in Whangarei, was signed by the Vodafone Warriors in 2017 and played in the under 20s side 12 times that season. Since then, Turner has continued to improve and develop.

This season saw him used in the club's Canterbury Cup (reserve grade) side eight times, scoring two tries, making 47 tackle breaks and averaging 86 metres a game. In the Jersey Flegg competition, he played 10 games this season, scored five tries, produced seven try assists and made 43 tackle breaks while averaging 80 metres per game.

Other nominees for the award were middle forward Phillip Makatoa, back rower Brody Tamarua and prop Wesley Veikoso.

The Jersey Flegg Education Ambassador of the Year award acknowledges under-20 players who are well balanced off the field doing a recognised course of study or a work pursuit.

Back rower Isaiah Vagana (Bachelor of Architectural Studies), utility Casey Smith (Bachelor of Engineering), wing Harley Maynard (BCITO apprenticeship) and hooker Sean Mullany (Bachelor of Commerce) were this year's nominees with the award going to Smith.

Smith, who was also a nominee for the award last year, had an impressive 2019 season on the field, displaying resilience while proving adept at completing his studies at the University of Auckland.

Finalists for the Jersey Flegg Clubman of the Year Award were centre Kayal Iro, fullback Emanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard and prop Wesley Veikoso. The award went to Veikoso for exhibiting the club’s values through his attitude during the year.

Halfback Sione Moala won the Jersey Flegg Rookie of the Year honour. Moala had an superb first season for the club where he made 15 appearances, scored 60 points (three tries and 44 goals) and produced five try assists and 33 tackle breaks while averaging 67 metres a game.

The other nominees were hooker Taniela Otukolo and Vagana.

Five academy players were acknowledged as a part of the Future Warriors programme. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki, Salesi Ataata, Francis Manuleleua, and Zyon Maiuu all picked up the merit award while Vaka Sikahele was given the excellence award.

 

 

VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS | 2019 AWARDS

 

Special achievements

 

Cook Islands senior international debut:

Kayal Iro

Brody Tamarua

 

Canterbury Cup debut:

Kayal Iro

Edward Kosi

Phil Makatoa

Sean Mullany

 

New Zealand 18s:

Sione Moala

Caleb Pese

Jyris Glamuzina

Eteru Ropeti

William Fakatoumafi

Temple Kalepo

Feao Tongia

Semisi Sikei

Taniela Otukolo

Otukinekina Kepu

Vailingi Peesi Kepu

 

Player of the Year and Sonny Fai Medal winner

2008   Kevin Locke

2009   Elijah Taylor

2010   Nafe Seluini

2011   John Palavi

2012   Peta Hiku

2013   Michael Sio

2014   Sam Lisone

2015   Bunty Afoa

2016   Chris Sio

2017   Chanel Harris-Tavita

2018   Preston Riki

2019   Paul Turner

 

Jersey Flegg Rookie of the Year

2008   Elijah Taylor  

2009   Ben Henry

2010   Carlos Tuimavave

2011   Siliva Havili

2012   David Bhana

2013   Tuimoala Lolohea

2014   Brad Abbey

2015   Ata Hingano

2016   Chanel Harris-Tavita

2017   Tyler Slade

2018   Kayal Iro

2019   Sione Moala

 

Clubman of the Year

2008   Kurt Tehira 

2009   Kurt Kara

2010   Charlie Gubb

2011   Donald Tony

2012   Toka Likiliki

2013   Viliami Kaveinga

2014   Kurt Robinson

2015   Toafofoa Sipley

2016   Sheldon Pitama

2017   Kenese Kenese

2018   Eiden Ackland

2019  Wesley Veikoso

Ends

Tony Cutting

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