16 March 2010
Sapper Paul Davis made a virtual clean sweep of the Army Sports awards, winning Individual Sportsperson of the Year, the Outstanding Sports Award, and Chief of Army’s Supreme Award.
The Linton engineer has been a valuable member of the NZ Army Touch code, as not only a talented player, but as a mentor of all players within the code. He has continued with his representative successes at the junior level with achievements at the elite level of his chosen sport. His passion for the code and his obvious talent are seen not only at the NZ Representative level, but also in his pride in representing the Army and in his desire to elevate the standard of Touch within the New Zealand Defence Force.
SPR Davis was an integral player and Captain of the NZ Army Open Men’s Touch team, winners of the Open Men’s grade at the 2009 NZDF Touch tournament.
He has been a committed player of the Manawatu Open Mens Touch team for a number of seasons, and again represented the province at the NZ Touch National Championships in March 2009 in Hutt City.
Other awards presented included:
- Team of the Year - NZ Army Women’s Open Touch Team
- Official of the Year - Mrs Sue Harrison - Softball
The NZ Army Women’s Open Touch team was placed 1st at the Inter Services in February 2009. The team was defending its title for the second consecutive year, and achieved the first ever three-peat by a NZ Army Women’s Touch team.
The team played with an uncompromising competitiveness that the RNZAF and RNZN found difficult to match. Previous years of RNZN dominance were swept aside by the young and skilful talent of the NZ Army side. Coached and led by senior players, the team, which included a number of rookies, gelled to eventually dominate the final. Throughout the tournament their style of play was impressive and demonstrated a high level of skill and teamwork. Judges felt the Army Women’s Touch team have a very strong bond, on and off the playing field and demonstrate a strong camaraderie typical of the NZ Army. Operational commitments prevented all but four of the 10 selected NZ Army Open Women’s players from competing at the NZ Touch Championships
Mrs Sue Harrison was nominated as the NZ Army Sports Official of the Year as a result of notable achievements and for her continued dedication, time and effort put into NZ Army and NZDF Softball. She was also awarded an Army colour for her services to softball.
Warrant Officer Class One R N M McLean, Royal New Zealand Artillery, was awarded an Army colour for his services to rugby, and Staff Sergeant T R Hiroti, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment for his services to basketball.