Award name PLAYER The NZRPA Kirk Award was established in 2005 and named after NZRPA founding RECOGNITION chairman and former All Black captain David Kirk MBE. Kirk led the All Blacks to their first Rugby World Cup title Josh Blackie, in 1987. Previous recipients include Conrad Smith, Richie FROM LEFT: HALE T-POLE AND SEILALA MAPUSUA McCaw and Tana Umaga, in Seilala recognition of their off-field Lam said, “What Hale, Seilala and our people. It is time for change,” roles in helping establish the Mapusua and Josh did in forming the first ever he said. commercial and employment Pacific Players Association was His sentiments were backed up by partnership between the Hale T-Pole pioneering. The work they put fellow recipient Seilala Mapusua, into forming this association was who was unable to attend the players and the game’s paramount by bridging the gap awards ceremony. He said, “I am administrators, which has 2019 Kirk Award between the Pacific unions and very honoured to receive such a underpinned the professional players, they became the voice of prestigious award. I am not sure rugby environment and Recipients the Pacific players, which was long we have done enough to deserve achievements ever since. overdue. it, but I am humbled to be part of 2016 recipient - Justin FROM LEFT: JOSH BLACKIE AND HALE T-POLE “This is a well-deserved it and grateful to the NZRPA for all Collins 2017 recipient - DJ achievement for their work, which the work they have done helping Forbes. 2018 recipients - OSH BLACKIE, SEILALA Sevens, Tonga, Samoa, Highlanders, have played in Rugby World Cups a lot of the time goes unnoticed, the players and the Pacific. We Fiao’o Fa’amausili and Keven MAPUSUA AND HALE Blues, Otago and Southland. The trio representing their Pacific nations of and they can be proud of what they will keep on working hard as there Mealamu T-POLE ARE THE LATEST – who all played alongside each other Tonga and Samoa respectively. Both have accomplished. I’m excited is still so much work to be done. It David Kirk biography: Former RECIPIENTS OF THE NZRPA at various times – went on to ply their continue to work and volunteer in for what the future holds for the has been a tough road, but with KIRKJ AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF trade overseas before returning to rugby. Hale was the founding chairman association and Pacific rugby support we can keep trying to get All Black, David Kirk, captained THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR New Zealand to carve a special place in of Pacific Rugby Players and works as knowing it is in good hands. Malo Pacific rugby and our players in a the All Blacks to their first FELLOW PLAYERS THROUGH THE the rugby landscape. Having identified a rugby director for the Singapore- lava.” better position.” Rugby World Cup title in 1987. A WORK, TIME, ENERGY AND SKILL THEY the need for a respected professional based Asia Pacific Dragons team, Surprised to receive the special NZRPA Chairman David Kirk MBE, medical doctor, Rhodes Scholar PUT INTO ESTABLISHING PACIFIC organisation to support Pacific Island providing opportunities for players award, Josh Blackie commented, after whom the award is named, and former advisor to the Prime RUGBY PLAYERS, THE INDEPENDENT players and to unite Fiji, Tonga, Samoa from the Pacific Islands and those with “For me it is guys like Hale and said, “The work that Josh, Hale Minister, David was awarded an REPRESENTATIVE BODY FOR PACIFIC and the Cook Islands, they created heritage in the islands. Seilala is also Seilala, who have stuck their necks and Seilala have done over the MBE for services to rugby in ISLAND PROFESSIONAL RUGBY Pacific Rugby Players. a Pacific Rugby Players board member out in their community to make years with support from the 1988. The former Fairfax Media Josh Blackie, who won a Commonwealth and works as a Coach Development PLAYERS. a difference, that deserve this. people around them has been CEO and Chairman of Trade Pacific icon and one of the first gold medal for the New Zealand Sevens Officer for Otago Rugby. We have played a small part of instrumental in setting up a Me, Kathmandu and Forsyth Polynesians to wear an All Black test side, started working voluntarily In the development of the Pacific something that is a much bigger credible and respected voice for Barr, sits on several boards, is jersey, Sir Bryan Williams presented for the International Rugby Players Rugby Players, these three players picture, but we are just only Pacific rugby players at the top the award to Josh Blackie and Hale Association while he was playing in were supported by fellow players and scratching the surface.” level, which is where the true a trustee of several charities T-Pole on behalf of the trio at the ASB Japan. This led to him taking the role Pacific Rugby Players board members His shock was mirrored by Hale difference can be made for Pacific and is the co-founder and Rugby Awards in Auckland last night. of start-up project manager and CEO Deacon Manu, Siale Piutau, Jack Lam, T-Pole. ”I am very humbled to players, who are such an important partner of Bailador Investment Speaking from the United Kingdom, of Pacific Rugby Players, which is Akapusi Qera, Faifili Levave and other receive this, but the fight for part of our game.” Management. The author of two former captain of Tonga, Siale now managed by Aayden Clarke. As an key people. The trio and their board Pacific Island rugby is constant. New Zealand Rugby Players’ books, David was inducted into Piatau said, “The three men have all employee of the International Rugby formed valuable relationships and We are breaking down barriers, Association CEO Rob Nichol said, the World Rugby Hall of Fame in sacrificed a lot to build the foundations Players Association, Josh contributed connections around the globe thus but we need change and actions. “The commitment, passion and 2011. Unknown to many, David of what Pacific Rugby Players has significantly to the expansion of the creating a credible voice for Pacific We hit brick walls all the time, care that Hale, Seilala and Josh has served as the Chairman become. As ex-players, they have representative body for international players in such organisations as which is challenging, but then you have shown to their fellow players of the New Zealand Rugby been instrumental in bridging the gap issues of importance to players and International Rugby Players and World see our young players crying when and the effort they have put into Players’ Association since its between players and unions, and also the game, its formalised relationship Rugby. they sing the national anthem and Pacific rugby player welfare – building support for Pacific Island with World Rugby, and the transfer While there is much work still to do it motivates you to keep striving and still do – is truly admirable. establishment in 1999, and this players worldwide.” from New Zealand to its Dublin-based in the Pacific Island Rugby space, the for better. We need New Zealand They are all extremely humble award is named in recognition Each of the three 2019 Kirk Award offices. Josh then took up a role at Pacific players now have a voice due to Rugby and people around the world men who have just gone about of his outstanding selfless recipients have had successful Ernst and Young and now works at High the efforts of three people who wanted to support us and walk the talk. We their work under the radar, so are contribution and leadership in careers in their own right, between Performance Sport New Zealand. to give back to fellow players. need real action that will improve outstanding recipients of this this regard. them representing New Zealand Both Hale T-Pole and Seilala Mapusua Former Samoan international Jack the game and player welfare for prestigious award. ”