Jale, Elenoa Kaukirewa pick up Rugby Manitoba awards

Two of the region’s outstanding athletes were honoured at the Rugby Manitoba Awards Dec. 5 in Winnipeg.

Jale Kaukirewa was named the province’s male athlete of the year. Kaukirewa played for the Eastman Warriors, helping them to back-to-back Premier Division champions.

The Warriors are the first team based outside Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway to win Manitoba’s top rugby trophy, which has been awarded since before 1900.

Elenoa Kaukirewa was recognized as one of two winners for the junior female athlete of the year. She captains the Steinbach Regional Secondary School team, leading the high school league in points.

Kaukirewa also played at the Manitoba Summer Games, leading her team in points and made apperences at the Prairie Cup tournament.

Tylie Fraser was the other player named as a junior female athlete of the year.

Julien Lopez and Alex Harper were named the junior male athletes of the year and Courtney Maines was the senior female athlete of the year.

The volunteer of the year was Susan Green, who helps organize events at the Maple Grove Rugby Park throughout the season.

Coach of the year was shared by Joanne and Dave Fraser, who led the U18 provincial girls team and helped a team to a silver medal at the Manitoba Summer Games.