Smalley named SAS College Rugby League Player of the Year
Otahuhu College centre Alfred Smalley has been named the SAS College Rugby League Player of the Year at the awards
breakfast held at Alexandra Park this morning.
At just 15 years of age Smalley was the standout player in the 20-team competition this year, helping his side to a
fifth-placed finish.
A centre of slight build with quick feet, Smalley also plays in the Otahuhu Leopard’s under-15 side and said the college
season had been enjoyable from a personal point of view.
“It is very exciting and I am very happy to win Player of the Year,” he said.
“We all stuck in there but didn’t come out with what we wanted in terms of results, but I have a bit longer in college
league yet.”
The only previous winner of the award was Mt Albert Grammar’s Mattais Hemuili, who is now in the Vodafone Warriors’
development system.
Other big winners at the awards ceremony included Papatoetoe High School hooker Iese Aiga, who took out the
competition’s top try scorer crown with 15 tries, and St Pauls’ fullback Cody Mahukia who was the top points scorer with
63 points.
After guiding Kelston to their first college title in 11 years Phil Gordon was named coach of the year, while the
referee from that final, Kiko Puhipi-Hibbs, was given the award for the competition’s top official.
The Excellence Cup was awarded to Otahuhu College for their outstanding attitude and handling of the competition’s
administration requirements.
Auckland Rugby League football development assistant manager Anaru Hudson said the awards capped of a stellar year of
college league in the district.
“This is a great way of celebrating the contribution of not only the players, but also all of school administration
staff, match managers and officials who make this competition what it is.
“We were very thankful to have once again worked with dedicated sponsors SAS, Haydn & Rollett and the Vodafone Warriors, and we look forward to the 2015 season and the excitement it will bring.”
Special guests at the breakfast included Haydn and Rollett managing director Kim Barrett, New Zealand Rugby League CEO
Phil Holden and Vodafone Warriors academy and pathways manager Duane Mann.
ends