James Slipper receiving the Medal for Excellence

Reds and Wallabies prop, James Slipper was announced as this year’s recipient of the coveted Medal for Excellence Award at the 2014 RUPA (Rugby Union Players Association) Awards Lunch held in Sydney.

Slipper was a run-away leader of votes from his peers, following an impressive year for his state and country. Known for his good nature off the field, and powerful performances during game time, Slipper has shown some of his career best form in 2014.

It was a year that saw the 25-year-old earn his 50th Test cap and afforded the opportunity to vice captain the Wallabies, together with teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Slipper joins last year’s winner, Nick Cummins, and other outstanding Australian rugby players, including Berrick Barnes, George Gregan, George Smith and four-time-winner Nathan Sharpe, as a recipient of the Medal for Excellence.

The Medal is more than just a Player’s Player Award, with all Super Rugby players asked to vote for both on and off field efforts. Votes are cast using a 3-2-1 points system based on a set of four key criteria, leadership, performance, consistency and discipline.

Reds winners: Samu Kerevi, Emilee Cherry & James Slipper

Samu Kerevi receiving his award

The top 10 finalists are taken from the top two players’ votes at each Australian Super Rugby team.

Awarded since 2001, the Medal for Excellence is one of the oldest rugby players’ player awards in Australia. It is one of eight accolades presented at the annual RUPA Awards.

Matt Hodgson took home the 2014 People’s Choice Award, which received almost 1500 votes this year. Open to rugby supporters across the country, the People’s Choice asked people to vote for which player they thought best demonstrated the spirit of rugby in Australia.

Hodgson was undoubtedly a hit with rugby supporters in 2014 after a truly memorable year for the Force captain. Hodgson became the first to reach 100 Super Rugby matches for the Force in 2014, in a season that included three man-of-the-match performances and six tries.

Hodgson’s inspirational journey was capped off after receiving his first call up to the Wallabies in four years, and later named to captain the men in gold in their opening 2014 Spring Tour match.

Henry Speight and Pat McCutcheon were announced as joint winners of this year’s Community Service Award. Henry raised over $30,000 for Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids, a foundation in Fiji that supports children with cancer and their families, recently shaving his hair for the cause.

Henry Speight without his large affro hairsyle

The Fijian born Brumbies winger, who became Wallaby number 888 this year, is renowned for his humble dedication to causes and service in the community.

Pat McCutcheon has dedicated a lot of his time to community activities in metropolitan and regional areas of his state, having grown up in the NSW country town of Narromine.

The Waratahs’ representative is also an Ambassador of the Raise Foundation, and supports several charities including Save our Sons, Batyr – One Sock One Goal and the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.

Unsung hero, Jeremy Tilse was another Waratahs player to be recognised off the field, receiving the award for Academic Excellence.

In 2014 Tilse completed an Advanced Diploma of Management, adding to his line-up of off-field endeavours, including a Certificate IV in Building and Construction that he has previously accomplished.

A builder by trade, from restoring boats, engines and all, to obtaining his pilot’s licence, to say that Tilse is a keen learner is an understatement.

Jeremy Tilse

The NRC Players’ Player – a new award in 2014 following the inaugural tournament this year – was awarded to Samu Kerevi.

Despite missing the NRC Final due to injury, Samu proved extremely valuable for Brisbane City’s campaign, scoring and setting up plenty of tries and recording a man of the match performance in Round 1.

The Rebels’ Sean McMahon added to his line-up of honours in 2014, topping players’ votes for Newcomer of the Year.

At just 20 years of age, McMahon has had one of the most remarkable and rapid rises through the rugby ranks, from Super Rugby debutant, NRC, Australian Men’s Sevens Commonwealth Games bronze, captain of the Australian Under 20s, to his recent first Wallabies cap.

The RUPA Awards provide Australia’s professional rugby players with the opportunity to vote and be voted by those who know them best, their peers. The Medal for Excellence, Newcomer of the Year, Men’s and Women’s Sevens Players’ Player and Buildcorp NRC Players’ Player Awards are all voted by players.

The annual awards are also an opportunity to recognise professional Australian rugby players for their off-field endeavours. RUPA’s five Player Development Managers, who work within each of the Australian Super Rugby teams, put forward the nominees for the Academic Excellence and Community Service Awards.

Medal for Excellence:

Winner: James Slipper (Reds)

Academic Achievement Award:

Winner: Jeremy Tilse (Waratahs)

Community Service Award:

Winner: Pat McCutcheon (Waratahs) and Henry Speight (Brumbies)

People’s Choice Award:

Winner: Matt Hodgson (Force)

Newcomer of the Year:

Winner: Sean McMahon (Rebels)

NRC Players’ Player:

Winner: Samu Kerevi (Brisbane City)

Men’s Sevens Players’ Player:

Winner: Cameron Clark

Women’s Sevens Players’ Player:

Winner: Emilee Cherry

Australian Rugby’s top ladies