Bay of Plenty Rugby received plenty of recognition of the contributions of their players, officials and administrators to the region, when the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards were presented in Rotorua last Friday evening.

Current All Black Sam Cane was awarded the APR Consultants Junior Sportsman of the Year.

File pic.

In a few short years Sam has gone from playing for the Reporoa College first fifteen to making his All Black debut in 2012.

The award was picked up by a family representative as Sam is currently on the All Black tour of Great Britain and Europe.

Long-time Bay of Plenty Rugby historian Brent Drabble was recognised for his immense contribution to the history of Rugby in the Bay of Plenty.

Brent played a big part in the Centennial celebrations of Bay Rugby last year, having researched the names of every Bay player who has pulled on the Blue and Gold uniform over the years.

Te Puke Sports and Recreation Club received the Sport New Zealand Club of the Year award. The Te Puke Club member, who won the Baywide premier title for the second successive year, thrives on an excellence in sporting administration and delivery of quality sport for their many members.

Rising young Bay of Plenty rugby referee Amon Rimene stepped up to the podium to receive the Aurecon Secondary School Student award.

The Mount Maunganui College pupil has excelled in the referee ranks since taking up the whistle and Bay rugby administrators are predicting a bright refereeing future for the young man.

Tony Marrow from Trident High School was awarded the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Principals Association Secondary Schools Service to Sport award.

Tony is a long-time member and has served as Chairman of the BOP Rugby Secondary Schools Committee, as well as representing the region on the Northern Region Schools Committee.

Bay of Plenty players had strong representation in the Chiefs side that won the 2012 Super Rugby competition.

The Chiefs shared the Bay Sports Med Team of the Year award with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.

Bay of Plenty Sports Awards 2012

APR Consultants Junior Sportsman of the Year Sam Cane
Canon Open Service To Sport Brent Drabble

Sport New Zealand Club of the Year Te Puke Sports & Recreation Club

Aurecon Secondary School Student Contribution – Amon Rimene
Bay Sports Med Team of the Year Chiefs/Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

BOP Secondary Schools Principals Association Sec School Service to Sport – Tony Marrow