CELEBRATING SUCCESS | Junior Rep presentation

Author: sharks.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 16 Jul 2015, 10:23 PM

Successful in claiming not only the Matthews Cup and SG Ball titles but also National Championships in the under-16’s and under 18’s, the Sharks 2015 junior rep teams were celebrated and congratulated at the annual Junior Representative Presentation event at Sharkies tonight.

Awards were handed out, speeches made and those most closely associated with the teams praised for their tireless efforts, with players, parents, coaches and staff joining together on a night to recognise the outstanding feats of the Sharks junior rep teams.

Not only did the Sharks claim their first-ever SG Ball crown, but to do so during a season in which the under-16 Matthews Sharks also took out the prestigious NSWRL title, was a first for Cronulla and an accomplishment achieved by very few other clubs.

Added to that both teams, despite injuries to some key players after bruising Grand Finals the week prior, went on to beat the Townsville Stingers in the two age groups to claim the National Championships.

While a difficult task to single out individuals after what were team efforts in winning both titles, the coaches did manage to name who they thought were their best players throughout the respective campaigns.

This year coaches and staff also came up with a ‘try of the year’ and a ‘tackle of the year’ for the two teams, in addition to the major awards.

Awards were presented by coaches Glenn Brailey and Dave Howlett, Sharks Elite Coaching Development Manager John Morris, NRL Head Coach Shane Flanagan and NRL squad members Anthony Tupou, Jacob Gagan and Fa’amanu Brown.

SG Ball Captain and centre Curtis Scott was a worthy winner of the major award, the 2015 Junior Rep Player of the Year, in addition to his SG Ball best player award.

During what has been an outstanding year for the local junior, Scott has also represented NSW in the Origin under-18’s and was recently selected in the Australian Schoolboys side.

Other major award winners on the night were Daniel Vasquez (SG Ball – Coaches Award), Semisi Kioa (Matthews - Coaches) and Fine Kula (Matthews Player of the Year).

Sharks Group CEO Lyall Gorman also spoke, while Club Chairman Damien Keogh was a part of the crowd on the night.

All players also took home their actual playing jerseys, an embroidered Coaches Jacket and a glossy 96-page Yearbook documenting their journey through the 2015 season.

Following were the award winners from tonight’s presentation event;

Sharks Junior Rep Player of the Year
Curtis Scott

Harold Matthews Cup
Coaches Award – Semisi Kioa
Player of the Year – Fine Kula

SG Ball
Coaches Award – Daniel Vasquez
Player of the Year – Curtis Scott

Matthews Cup Tackle of the Year
Luke Metcalf v Wests Semi Final

SG Ball Tackle of the Year
Cameron Scott v Souths Grand Final

Matthews Cup Try of the Year
Lachlan Smith v Wests Semi Final

SG Ball Try of the Year
Will Kennedy v Newcastle, Round 4

Rep players

NSW Under 16's
Lachlan Smith
Jaeman Salmon
Luke Metcalf
Dylan Smith

NSW Under 18's
Curtis Scott
Daniel Vasquez
Billy Magoulias
Brock Ilett

Queensland Under 18's
Keenan Yorston

Australian Schoolboys 15 Yrs Merit Team
Isaac Longmuir
Bronson Xerri