It’s that time of year again. The countdown is on with just one month to go until this year's annual Volvo RUPA Awards Lunch in Sydney.
Rewarding players for their achievements both on and off the field, the 2015 Volvo RUPA Awards Lunch is set to be one of the biggest occasions ever on the RUPA Calendar. This year's event not only follows what was an outstanding 12 months for Australian rugby players, it also marks RUPA’s 20th anniversary celebration.
RUPA has been hosting an end of season lunch since its inaugural year in 1995, when players established the organisation to promote and safeguard the interests of the Australian professional playing group.
The occasion was transformed into an Awards event as RUPA grew and it was realised that professional players should be rewarded for their efforts off the field, as well as their performances and talent on the field.
These days the Volvo RUPA Awards incorporates eight awards, including peer voted awards and recognition of players for their off-field strengths and successes across the last 12 months.
Each award is presented by RUPA’s partners and together they reflect RUPA’s six key pillars; career and education, wellbeing, financial management, cultural awareness, integrity and obligations and personal toolkit.
The list of Awards to be presented at the 2015 Volvo RUPA Awards Lunch 20th Anniversary Celebration to be held on Wednesday 9th December are:
Community Service Award – presented by AFEX
Awarded to the player who has made extraordinary service to the community through charity events, appearances, promotion of a community or not-for-profit cause or initiative. Finalists are put forward by the RUPA Player Development Managers, who assist and oversee players in community and charity-based activities and initiatives. The winner is decided by the RUPA Board.
2014 winner: joint winners, Henry Speight (Brumbies) and Pat McCutcheon (NSW Waratahs)
Academic Excellence Award – presented by Kaplan Education
Awarded to the player who has undertaken and excelled in any level of education, personal or professional development. Finalists are put forward by the RUPA Player Development Managers from each Super Rugby team, who guide and support their players throughout the year with their academic and professional development. The winner is decided by the RUPA Board.
2014 winner: Jeremy Tilse (NSW Waratahs)
Women’s Sevens Players’ Player – presented by NAB Private Wealth
Voted by members of the Australian Women’s Sevens team for the player they believe has displayed excellence in areas of performance, leadership, consistency and commitment both on and off the field.
2014 winner: Emilee Cherry
Men’s Sevens Players’ Player – presented by Hall Chadwick
Voted by members of the Australian Men’s Sevens team for the player they believe has displayed excellence in areas of performance, leadership, consistency and commitment both on and off the field.
2014 winner: Cameron Clark
Buildcorp NRC Players’ Player – presented by Buildcorp
Awarded for the first time in 2015 following the inaugural competition, the Buildcorp NRC Players’ Player is the only NRC Award to be entirely voted upon by all players in the competition that year for the person they believe has been a standout performer on and off the field. The finalists consist of a handful of the top performers, who also exhibited positive qualities off the field.
2014 winner: Samu Kerevi (Brisbane City)
Volvo People’s Choice Player of the Year – presented by Volvo
Open to the public, allowing fans to vote for the Australian player they believe best demonstrates the spirit of rugby through teamwork, passion, leadership and performance both on and off the field. across the last Super Rugby and/or international season. The player with the most public votes wins.
Cast your vote for who you think should be crowned Player of the Year for your chance to win a VIP Volvo V8 Supercars experience at the Sydney 500 – vote at www.rupa.com.au/volvo-peoples-choice.
2014 winner: Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
Newcomer of the Year – presented by Allianz Stadium
Presented to the player who has achieved excellence in their first full year as a professionally contracted Australian Rugby player both on and off the field. Finalists are put forward by the RUPA Player Development Managers (PDM) from each Super Rugby team. Each PDM selects one candidate who made their debut that year and has starred both on and off the field. The winner is voted by the Super Rugby players across each Australian team.
2014 winner: Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels, Australian Men’s Sevens)
RUPA Medal for Excellence – presented by Australian Reliance
The pinnacle accolade at the RUPA Awards since their inauguration. It recognises the player who across the last 12 months has excelled in terms of their performance, leadership, consistency, and commitment both on and off the field, as well as their contribution to the community and in furthering their education. Finalists are made up of those that won and came second in their Super Rugby team’s Players’ Player Award votes that year. The winner is voted by the Super Rugby players across each Australian team.
2014 winner: James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
