Joel Winterburn Wins Another Top Award

By Frank Neill

One of Rāhui Rugby’s legends, Joel Winterburn, was named the senior team’s most valuable player at the Rāhui Sportsclub’s prizegiving on 2 September.

A loose forward, Joel has a century under his belt, having played his 100 th game for Rāhui on 29 July.

His outstanding contribution not helped Rāhui win the Ramsbotham Cup as the 2023 Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby champions when they defeated Shannon 23-22 following a tighly contest final.

Following the ma

tch Joel was named player of the day by the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union.

Joel is also the 2022 Heartland Player of the Year as Māori Player of the Year and was presented the two awards at the annual Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union awards dinner in November.

Last year was the second time Joel had received both awards, which he also won at the end of the 2020 season.

Another player who stood out in Rāhui’s victory over Shannon, Alizay Roach, was presented with two trophies

at the awards evening.

He won the trophy for the most valuable back as well as the trophy for the most points scored

during the 2023 season.

Alizay’s last minute penalty saw the Ōtaki team edge past Shannon to not only win the

championship but also maintain an unbeaten record for the season.

His successful kick was clinched from a wide angle.

Rāhui’s captain Morehu Connor-Phillips was presented the trophy as the best team member.

Jake Quin won the trophy as the most valuable forward, Sam Gibson the trophy as the most

dedicated player and Brodhu Archibald was named the most improved player.

Rāhui Rugby’s most valuable player of 2023 scoring a try for his team during their 71- 19 victory over Levin College Old Boys on 1 July.

The other awards presented at the 2023 prizegiving were:

Kikorangi Rāhui Senior B Rugby 2023

Best Team Member,T R Baker; Most Improved, P Cook; Most Points, P Tapiata; Most Valuable Back, D Wawatai; Most Valuable Forward, M Lafrentz and Player of the Year, R Wells.

Under 21

Up and Coming U21 Player, D Hakaraia; Most Improved U21, C Vanderwiel.

Rāhui Senior Netball - Whero 

Most Valuable Player, Raureti Cup, Jade Ratapu; Most Improved, KCD Trust trophy, F Maslin; Best Defence, J Taylor-Albert; Best Attack, P Tūtemahurangi; Best Mid Court, D Davis.

Rāhui Senior Netball - Kahurangi

Most Valuable Player, Hunia Davis Cup, H R Hawkins; Most Improved, K McArley; Best Defence, T A Tapine; Best Attack, H Lardelli and Best Mid Court, T A Hawkins.

Rāhui Senior Netball - Mā

Most Valuable Pla

yer, E Taurua; Most Improved, J Paranihi-Nuku; Best Defence, D McCosh; Best Attack, M Thompson and Best Mid Court, N Chapman.

Rāhui Senior Netball 2023  

Cook Cup Overall 321 points, E Harrison-Paurini; AAS Overall Player,Jasmine Ratapu and

Gardner Homes Best Sportsperson, D Davis.