11/09/2008
Burnside star wins SA Rugby’s premier award
Burnside Rugby Union Club’s Mikaele Taufaao was awarded the Don Smith Medal as South Australian Rugby’s best and fairest at an awards ceremony hosted tonight (September 10) by the South Australian Rugby Union.
Taufaao had an outstanding season for Burnside, scoring an impressive 244 points and
was instrumental in Burnside making the finals in 2008. The athletic player capped off a
sterling night by also taking out the Chairman’s Trophy for best back in the South
Australian competition.
The President’s Trophy for best male forward was awarded to South Australian rugby stalwart Matthew Connor from Woodville.
Winning the Edna Reilly Memorial Trophy as the women’s best and fairest was Lee Fata from Port Burnside, who mirrored her male counterpart with a double-header, also taking out the Meredith Knowler Tackling Trophy for the year’s best female tackler.
Woodville Rugby Union Club was awarded the Darryl Ryan Memorial Shield for best kept grounds and facilities, while Ulupanu (Mickey) Seuteni from Onkaparinga was named as the year’s most outstanding coach.
Brighton’s Calum Wilkins was awarded the Ray Herde Shield for most outstanding player under 21.
The Don Smith Medal Dinner also announced six new inductees into the South Australian Rugby Hall of Fame:
Jim Jones, for services as a player, coach, administrator and referee.
Pamela Jackson, for services as an administrator.
Rosalie Sage, for services as an administrator.
Frank Shaw, for services as a player, coach, administrator and referee.
Jan Turner, for services as an administrator
Stephen Blanch, for services as a player, administrator and referee.