fortunate in the world due to founding chairman and former the support we get in rugby, All Black captain David Kirk including from the NZRPA, who MBE. Kirk led the All Blacks to PLAYER do a fantastic job of helping their first title players in such a wide variety of in 1987. areas. I think, as a Previous recipients include RECOGNITION rugby family, we look after each , Richie McCaw other and like to help where we and , in recognition can, and that is a special.” of their off-field roles in helping NZRPA Chairman David Kirk to establish the commercial MBE, after whom the award is and employment partnership Andy Ellis named, said, “Andy epitomises between the players and the values the award seeks the game’s administrators, receives to recognise. His energy, ANDY ELLIS which has underpinned enthusiasm and care for other the professional rugby puts the team first and has a players and the game itself environment and achievements 2020 NZRPA special ability to make people shine through in everything he ever since. work together.” achieved as a player and in the 2016 recipient - Justin Collins Kirk Award During the initial COVID many ways he has supported 2017 recipient - DJ Forbes. outbreak early in 2020, Andy and helped others since retiring 2018 recipients - Fiao’o was one of the key conduits for from playing.” Fa’amausili and information for New Zealand The former halfback’s 2019 recipients - Josh Blackie, players in Japan, who – like communication, ability Hale T Pole and Seilala Mapusua to connect to people and many – were experiencing networking are all first class. much uncertainty. As such, His openness and willingness Andy knew the importance of Award name to share his knowledge and good communication for his experience with other players fellow players. He has also The NZRPA Kirk Award was in teams such as the All Blacks been an impressive connector, named after the New Zealand Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens encouraging players to reach Rugby Players’ Association ANDY ELLIS have seen him become an out for support. Chairman David Kirk. Andy’s enthusiasm, energy Former All Black, David Kirk, 2020 NZRPA Kirk Award recipient. get better internet into the rural important resource for these and experience have seen captained the All Blacks to NDY ELLIS IS THE LATEST Off the field, Andy’s personal community, thereby enhancing players. him greatly contribute to the their first Rugby World Cup RECIPIENT OF THE NEW development has seen him win online learning in remote areas – Andy has supported many culture of every team he has title in 1987. A medical doctor, ZEALAND RUGBY PLAYERS’ awards at international flower something that has been especially NZRPA initiatives by providing been part of. The father of two is Rhodes Scholar and former ASSOCIATION KIRK shows, including a gold at the vital during this year’s COVID valuable information to share extremely competitive and has advisor to the Prime Minister, AAWARD. THIS AWARD RECOGNISES highly notable Singapore Garden lockdowns. with fellow players. As well, a true growth mindset, which he David was awarded an MBE ANDY’S CONTRIBUTION TO Festival and a supreme award at He has done all of this while also he has been a key driver in applies to all aspects of his life. in 1988 for services to rugby. HIS FELLOW PLAYERS AND HIS ’s Ellerslie Flower Show. He achieving a Rugby World Cup establishing business education His creativity is limitless, and he The former Fairfax Media CEO LEADERSHIP OFF THE FIELD has also been involved with opening victory, playing over 150 Super programmes for players and is well known for his real ‘can do’ and Chairman of TradeMe, THROUGH HIS COMMUNICATION, two Japanese restaurants, Mad Rugby matches and nine years of was instrumental in facilitating and ‘why not?’ attitudes. Kathmandu and Forsyth Barr ADVOCATING FOR PLAYERS, Samurai in Auckland and Bar Yoku Mitre 10 Cup, and winning back-to- these initiatives for his fellow Speaking from Japan, former All sits on several boards, is a DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES in . His Wagyu beef back Top League titles in Japan with players. Black and coach, Wayne Smith, trustee of several charities AND FOSTERING NETWORKS. THE business, Black Origin, also supplies the Kobe Steelers. Richie McCaw, who has who has worked with Andy in and is the co-founder and AWARD WAS ANNOUNCED LIVE ON these restaurants. Andy was extremely surprised captained Andy in both the All multiple teams including the All partner of Bailador Investment SKY TV LAST NIGHT AS PART OF THE He has owned horses, sung in a boy to receive the NZRPA Kirk Award, Blacks and , said of Blacks and Kobe Steelers, said: Management. The author of AWARDS. band for charity alongside Crusaders saying, “I am really proud to receive his former teammate, “One of “Andy is a player you dream two books, David was inducted The 36-year-old has had an on-field team mates , Robbie this prestigious award and want to Andy’s greatest attributes is about coaching and calling into the Hall of career spanning more than 15 years. Fruean, Telusa Veainu and Willi thank my family, especially my wife that he is genuinely interested a mate. He is all about team, Fame in 2011. Unknown to During that time, he has played for Heinz (with as manager), Emma. I feel like I am a custodian of in people and what they do. He connections with people, legacy many, David has served as the Canterbury, the Crusaders, the Kobe studied landscape architecture at the game, so I believe that it is part always gives his time to help and family. He backs this up by Chairman of the New Zealand Steelers, the , the All Lincoln University, written a book of the role to give back to the sport. others. He has an abundance being the fittest in the team and Rugby Players’ Association Blacks, the World XV and captained about Kiwi backyards, worked as It is nice to be able to help those who of energy and cares about his having the greatest personal since its establishment the Barbarians team. However, it is a television host as Seven Sharp’s are still playing and those who have teams being successful and the meaning. Andy is one of the in 1999, and this award is Andy’s ethos of not only giving back garden guide, and done stints as a retired. It is important to support people around him. Andy has a greats.” named in recognition of to other players, but also leading radio DJ and sports commentator. each other and make the most of highly competitive side, which his outstanding, selfless the way and encouraging them to His latest venture is as part of a the special opportunities that rugby means he is always looking for Award history: The NZRPA contribution and leadership in further develop themselves off the start-up satellite internet company provides us. I really consider that ways for him and his team to Kirk Award was established in this regard. field that has seen him become the called Get Gravity, which aims to New Zealand players are the most push to be better. He always 2005 and named after NZRPA