- 2009 NZ Army Sports Awards
10 March 2009
LT Raylene Kirk of 2 LFG won the Outstanding Sports Award of the Year at the New Zealand Army Sports Awards in February.
LT Kirk, who was nominated by Army Rugby, has been a member of various sports teams over the past two years, with the past year being particularly successful for her. She plays rugby, touch and hockey. Her award was presented by Chief of Army, MAJGEN Lou Gardiner.
Sapper Paul Davis, New Zealand Under 21 Men’s touch representative won the Individual Sportsperson of the Year award, and softball official Staff Sergeant Nicky Hansen won the Sports Official of the Year award.
The Chief of Army’s Supreme Award went to the NZ Army Men’s senior rugby team.
Guest speaker at the awards was Gordon Gibbons, the manager of the world champion New Zealand rugby League team, the Kiwis.
The awards were presented by the Chief of Army, MAJGEN Lou Gardiner.
Colonel Darryl Tracey, the Commander of 3 LFG, accepted the New Zealand Army Command Trophy on behalf of all Army sportsmen and women from the southern region.
The NZ Army Men’s Senior Rugby team was placed first at the Inter Services games in 2008. The 2008 team won the Inter Service Tournament for the 5th consecutive year, defeating both Navy and Air Force, therefore retaining the prestigious King George V Cup. This has never been achieved before by any single Service team in the 90-year history of the Cup. More significantly this year’s team was made up of 15 new caps at this level.
The Outstanding Sports Award
Lt Kirk was nominated for this award as a result of the following notable achievements within the nomination period and for her continued pursuit of excellence as a member of various sports teams.
Between October 2006 and December 2008 she was a member of:
- Central Region Women’s Touch team
- NZ Army Women’s Touch Team which won the inter services tournament
- NZDF Women’s Touch Team
- NZ Army Women’s Hockey Team which won the inter services tournament
- NZDF Women’s Hockey Team which was placed 6th at the National tournament
- Manawatu Women’s NPC Rugby Team which was placed 3rd in the NPC tournament
- Linton Women’s 7s Rugby Team
- Manawatu Women’s 7s Rugby Team
- Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7s Rugby Team which toured Amsterdam and London in May 08
- New Zealand 7s Rugby World Cup Squad
LT Kirk’s achievements at camp, regional, Army, NZDF, national and international levels are a true indication of her exceptional sporting ability.
She represented every team with pride and dedication and was a credit to herself and the reputation of the NZ Army.
Individual Sports Person of the Year Award
Spr Davis, who won the Individual Sports Person of the Year Award has an impressive list of achievements. They include membership of:
- Linton Army Rugby Club, Senior A Team
- NZ Army Senior Mens Team (Winners of the King George V Cup)
- NZ Defence Force Senior Mens Team (Winners of the Pacific Rim Cup)
- Manawatu U20’s Rugby Representative
- Manawatu Senior Rugby Development Representative
- Manawatu Men’s Touch Representative
- New Zealand U21 Men’s Touch Representative
He represented the Army at camp, regional, NZDF, national and international levels with pride and distinction.
Official of the Year Award
SSgt Nicky Hansen, who won the Official of the Year award, was nominated as a result of her following notable achievements and for her continued dedication, time and effort put into NZ Army and NZDF Sport. Her achievements include:
Softball
Strapper for:
- NZ Softball National League: Canterbury Red Hawks
- NZ Softball National League: Canterbury Red Hawks (Women) and
- Canterbury Red Socks (Men) for home games and finals (Feb-Mar 08)
- Canterbury 19’s Boys National tournament in Hastings (Jan 08)
- Canterbury 19’s Boys Jeffries Cup (Dec 08)
- Inter services Army women’s team Inter-Regionals (Northern and
- Southern) and Assistant Tournament Co-ordinator
Rugby League
Provincial (2008) – trainer or strapper for:
- Canterbury Under 16’s
- Canterbury Bulls (assisted with on field injuries and side line treatment)
- Inter-Regionals (Southern)
- Inter-Services (Army)
- Assisted part-time with Burnham Chevaliers during trainer absence
She has contributed to dual codes (Softball and Rugby League) at provincial, Army and regional levels. In softball she is a qualified and experienced strapper, and within the Rugby League environment is a fully qualified and experienced trainer.
She has the respect of staff and players who she works with and her communication skills, humour and ‘can do’ attitude contribute to the smooth running of teams she is involved with.
Speaking after awards, MAJGEN Gardiner said Army sport was continuing to prosper, despite a shortage of players due to the Army’s high operational tempo.
“All those involved in sport strive for excellence and success without that effort interfering with the development of friendships and good-natured rivalry. Sport develops the whole person and provides the opportunity for Army personnel to test their speed, strength, agility, skill, judgement and temperament against each other. All these attributes are required during operations.
“The utilisation of sport to develop Army personnel in a holistic sense clearly makes good sense and is an investment in the future.”
Sponsors for the awards this year included Tetra (NZ) Ltd, Lane Walker Rudkin Apparel, Trentham Camp Hot Shots, Hart Sport, gen-I and Liquorland.
Don’t Accept Second Best
The path the New Zealand Rugby League team took from being at times ill- disciplined and losing, to becoming world champions, was outlined by team manager Gordon Gibbons at the Army Sports Awards.
He has been manager of the NZ Rugby League Team, known as the “Kiwis”, for 53 tests, and comes from the Manukau Club where he played, coached and was a committee member. He is currently Kiwis Team Manager, and Football Operations Manager for Auckland Rugby League.
Mr Gibbons told his audience how former assistant coach Wayne Bennett rallied the players and let them know they were capable of what he saw as their true potential.
He told players “in no uncertain terms” that they should not accept second-best, and that it was not okay to lose the game but win the second half.
“And that was the beginning of our World Cup victory,” said Mr Gibbons.
He spoke about the importance of general self-discipline, not just on the field but in every aspect of life.
“Our whole campaign was based on humbleness and integrity, and representing our country to the best of our ability, without tripping up on the field. We played with passion and pride, but our battle has only just begun. We may have beaten Australia last year, but what we do in May this year will be equally important.”