For the first time in the annual RUPA Awards history, this year's accolade for Community Service was jointly awarded to the Brumbies, and recent Wallaby, Henry Speight and NSW Waratahs', Pat McCutcheon.
The players were awarded after making extraordinary service to the community through charity events, appearances, promotion of a community or not-for-profit cause or initiative.
Fijian born Wallaby and Brumbies rugby player, Henry Speight is renowned for his humble dedication to causes, especially in his hometown. Henry has spent the last few years raising money for the Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids Fiji, a Foundation that supports children with cancer and their families. Having lost his Fijian mother to cancer at just eight years of age, the cause is close to his heart.
Henry has continued to show a huge willingness to give to others in 2014, attending junior rugby matches, local school fundraisers, hosting various junior Fijian players and schools and being involved in various cancer awareness programs. Henry is also an Ambassador for the ACT Women’s Sevens teams and won the ActewAGL Community Award and Stallion of the Year – Supporter’s Choice Award at this year’s end of season Brumby Ball.
After two years of growing his 'fro, Henry recently shaved it all off in the name of charity. After setting up a fundraising page, with all monies to go towards WOWS, his initial target was $10,000. In the end, over $30,000 was raised for the cause. His 'fro was shaved last Friday 5 December at Belconnen Mall in Canberra by the highest donators.
Having grown up in the NSW country town of Narromine, Pat McCutcheon consistently uses his time to assist metropolitan and regional communities in NSW such as Orange, Bathurst and Tamworth. Pat has participated in a vast ranges of activities including junior and senior rugby coaching clinics, health and nutrition promotion and visiting sick children in hospital.
In 2014 Pat participated in the Future Tahs clinics, sponsor training events and this year’s Walk for Brain Cancer, and is consistently giving up his free time and putting up his hand for anything that will benefit the NSW community that he proudly represents. Pat also sponsors a World Vision Child, is an Ambassador for the Raise Foundation and has supported several charities including Save our Sons, Batyr - One Sock One Goal and the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
The Community Service Award is just one of the off-field accolades presented at the annual RUPA Awards event, which include the Academic Excellence Award for professional rugby players who have demonstrated achievement or commitment to education or other professional area of development.
Nominees for both awards are put forward by RUPA’s Player Development Managers, who work within each Super Rugby team to assist and support players in off-field areas, as part of the Player Development Program (PDP).
The Award forms an integral part of RUPA’s PDP, which exists to support and empower all professionally contracted Australian rugby players to maximise their potential on and off the field.
Previous recipients of the Community Service Award include two members from the Melbourne Rebels, Eddie Aholelei in 2012 and Pat Leafa in 2013. David Pocock was the inaugural winner of the award in 2011.
Seven Australian rugby players were nominated for the Community Service Award this year after demonstrating a valuable commitment to the community or causes. The nominees were reduced to five finalists before the two winners were announced and presented by RUPA partner, AFEX, at the 2014 Volvo-RUPA Awards Lunch on Wednesday 10 December.
The list of other players nominated for this year’s Community Service Award, and why, are below.
Nathan Charles – Western Force
At the age of 25, Nathan Charles is the only cystic fibrosis sufferer with a professional career in a contact sport. Diagnosed at a young age, Nathan has become an Ambassador of Cystic Fibrosis Australia and an inspiration to the Cystic Fibrosis community, its sufferers as well as the wider rugby and sporting community across the world.
Nathan is a tremendous role model, demonstrating a huge commitment to raising funds and awareness for the cause. He has made several appearances at events such as the Great Strides Walkathon, Cystic Fibrosis WA Golf Day and the Telethon 2014 in Perth. He also shows a huge commitment to the cause through social media, raising awareness during 65 Roses day, Cystic Fibrosis month and consistently through his social media accounts and website.
Nathan’s social media pages are flooded with messages and support and the Western Force are continually inundated with emails and phones messages to pass on thanks to Nathan.
Colby Fainga’a – Melbourne Rebels
He’s only been at the Melbourne Rebels one year but in that time has embraced his time with the team and living in Melbourne, demonstrating a huge commitment to the rugby community. Colby has received several testimonials after making many appearances across the year at local junior Rugby Clubs, participating in drills and assisting kids with their training. Colby would attend the Footscray and Northern rugby clubs in rail, hail or shine and was a truly positive role model for all involved.
Colby was also chosen as an Ambassador of Access Rugby, a program using rugby as a vehicle to create aspirational opportunities for disadvantaged participants in Victoria. The program centres on leadership, education and employment so Colby was said to be an obvious choice as the Program’s Ambassador in 2014.
Colby also flew up to Queensland to be part of his older Wallaby brothers’ charity golf event this year.
James Hanson – Queensland Reds
James became an Ambassador of the Leukaemia Foundation in 2013 and continues to remain actively involved, spending numerous hours with patients and their carers and families across Brisbane. In 2014 he also supported the cause through the “World’s Greatest Shave”, shaving off his beard and encouraging his teammates to do the same in a bid to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
James has continued to make a number of hospital visits throughout the year and has attended a number of events, including the Ride to Conquer Cancer fundraiser. James also visited an Indigenous village in Cherbourg, in the South Burnett region of Queensland, to help promote the importance of school attendance.
Michael Hodge – NSW Waratahs
After spending the majority of the 2014 season injured, Michael used his time to promote the game of rugby, health and exercise activity throughout the community. Michael made appearances at several events, including Charity fundraisers, guest speaking appearances and several visits at junior rugby clinics and the Starlight Children’s Hospital.
Michael has also assisted other athletes, giving his time to tutor and help NSW Waratahs teammate, Matt Lucas and upcoming NSW cricketer, Jake Doran in their studies.
Tom Sexton – Melbourne Rebels
Since signing with the Rebels ahead of the 2014 season, Tom hasn’t been able to run out for the side after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season. Despite this, Tom has continued to contribute positively to the playing team as an ambassador for the Club. In 2014 Tom travelled as far north as Mildura in Victoria and east to Warragul to engage with the community and sponsors.
Amongst many other activities, Tom tried his hand at coaching with the Rebels Under 20s, making Easter Eggs at Hilliers Chocolates, making phone calls to members to encourage them to re-sign with the Club, and attending schoolboy President lunches. Tom has received several accolades from the community for his involvement in such initiatives.
