2021 Generation Homes Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees Awards Dinner

To view all photos of the evening, click here.

Light glinted off a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medal as high-profile contributors to our game mingled with hard-working volunteer rugby referees, most accompanied by their loved ones. It was an evening in which the achievements of some of the youngest and newest members of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees showed how bright the future is shaping up for the club. 

Two young referees who have honed their skills primarily in the wider-Rotorua area over the past few years picked up a couple of the key awards each. Braydin Southall was recognised for his impressive development throughout the year and top-level support on the sidelines of Baywide Premier fixtures, as he picked up the John Cormick Trophy as the Most Improved Referee and Bill Sparks Memorial Trophy as the Best Assistant Referee. Neco Blank was the pick of the club’s Sevens officials, as he was recognised with the Nick Briant Trophy, along with a newly-minted award for Club Person of the Year, donated by current long-serving referees chairperson David Hodgson. 

Hodgson said of the award’s inaugural presentation, “We have worked so hard to champion our Club and instil the values and a sense of belonging to the Referees Club. Neco has certainly epitomised that this year, with his efforts both on and off the field. The support felt by the young referees he has worked with, and his desire for positive change, show how much of a club champion he truly is.” 

Hot on the heels of the afternoon’s National Provincial Championship game between the Steamers and Mooloos, where a dozen of the club’s members were involved in its successful delivery, the Generation Homes Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees Awards Dinner was eagerly awaited by all in attendance, following a hiatus in 2020. It did not disappoint, as the evening was superbly emceed by long-serving Referees Club member Bryce Lawrence. The National Referee Manager steered the 100-strong in attendance through the presentation of 11 club awards, along with recognition for service, law achievement and special contributions to the club. To sweeten the evening as desert was being served, he interviewed Olympic goal-medal winning Black Fern Michaela Blyde, and former World Cup Final referee Craig Joubert, both of whom also supported the award presenters in handing over the trophies throughout the night. 

One relationship which has been blossoming this season is that between the match official coaches of rugby and netball in Bay of Plenty. Jan Teesdale, the Umpire Development Lead for Netball Waikato/BOP, was a special guest, and spoke about the beginnings of a programme that is shaping up to be extremely beneficial for both codes and beyond, with the aim of improving the capacity and skills of the referee coaches. She also awarded the Allan Oates Memorial Trophy to Jono Baker as Referee Coach of the Year. 

The evening wrapped up with two of the top awards going to Te Puke local Peter Morgan, and Whakatāne’s Jaco Brouwer. Peter was voted by the Premier team coaches as the Best Premier Referee, for which he received the Lawrence Trophy. Jaco was selected as the Referee of the Year, and presented with the Martin Teo Shield, well deserved both from his exceptional on-field performances with the whistle, and commitment to the development and growth of referees particularly in the Eastern Bay region. 

The awards season did not end there, however. Not less than five days later, a record four Referee Club members were finalist nominees in their respective categories at the Zespri Bay of Plenty Rugby Union awards, held in Whakatāne. Tony Dunlop went on to win the Service to Sport award, which he was visibly humbled by. Tony has served as a referee and referee coach for 43 years and is as dedicated and passionate as ever.  

2021 Generation Homes Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees Awards – Winners 

Dave Edwards Trophy: First Year Referee Achievement

• First Awarded: 2006 

• Winner: Henry Scholes 

George Woodroofe Memorial Trophy: Highest Law Exam Score 

• First Awarded: 1966 

• Sponsored by: McLeod Cranes, Hiabs & Transport 

• Winners: Cam Russell & Estelle Whaiapu 

Fahys Cup: Most Improved Referee (up to Division 1) 

• Reinstated: 2015 

• Sponsored by: Ebbett Tauranga 

• Winner: Jonty Jenkins 

John Cormick Trophy: Most Improved Referee 

• First Awarded: 1988 

• Sponsored by: Roomate Cabins Rotorua 

• Winner: Braydin Southall 

Allan Oates Memorial Trophy: Referee Coach of the Year 

• First Awarded: 2010 

• Sponsored by: NZ Windows BOP 

• Winner: Jono Baker 

Presidents Trophy: Significant Contribution to BOPRU Referees 

• First Awarded: 1989 

• Sponsored by: Bay of Plenty Rugby President’s Group 

• Winner: Peter Morgan 

Bill Sparks Memorial Trophy: Best Assistant Referee (voted by the Premier Referees) 

• First Awarded: 2017 

• Sponsored by: Mastercraft Kitchens 

• Winner: Braydin Southall 

Nick Briant Trophy: Best Sevens Referee 

• First Awarded: 2019 

• Sponsored by: Marshall Innovations and Tekton Housewrap 

• Winner: Neco Blank 

Lawrence Trophy: Best Premier Referee (voted by the Premier Team Coaches) 

• First Awarded: 2016 

• Sponsored by: iLine Construction 

• Winner: Peter Morgan 

David Hodgson Trophy: Club Member of the Year 

• First Awarded: 2021 

• Sponsored by: TruFold Products 

• Winner: Neco Blank 

Martin Teo Shield: Referee of the Year 

• First Awarded: 2001 

• Sponsored by: FMG 

• Winner: Jaco Brouwer 

Article added: Tuesday 16 November 2021

To view all photos of the evening, click here.