Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller wins NZ Rugby’s most prestigious trophy

Thursday, 12 December 2024

Olympic gold medallist, Jorja Miller talks about the support from South Canterbury and her future plans with the Black Ferns Sevens

Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller has won NZ Rugby’s prestigious Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year title.

Miller, 20, was the second-youngest recipient of the gong in its 30-year history (behind Jonah Lomu), another piece of history for the Timaru-native, after becoming New Zealand’s youngest female gold medallist at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

Black Ferns Sevens player Jorja Miller has won the prestigious Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year title.

Lomu was 20, but younger by several months when he won the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial title in 1995. Dan Carter and Richie McCaw were both 22 when they received it in 2004 and 2003.

Miller is just the third woman to have won the famous trophy. Kendra Cocksedge and Sarah Hirini have also been recipients.

The Olympic gold medal winning Black Ferns Sevens swept the NZ Rugby Awards, claiming the NZ Team of the Year.

Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney was named the NZ Coach of the Year. It was Sweeney’s fifth title, equalling the record held by ex-All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen.

The Blues almost made a clean sweep of the awards they were nominated for, picking up both national men’s and women’s team awards.

Hoskins Sotutu and Katelyn Vahaakolo won the Super Rugby Pacific and Sky Super Rugby Aupiki player awards and Vern Cotter took home the national men’s coach award.

Weeks after receiving the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award, Wallace Sititi was recognised as the All Blacks’ best player.

Fellow All Blacks forward Tyrel Lomax (Ngāi Tuhoe, Muaupoko) took out the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year.

All Blacks Sevens Captain Dylan Collier rounded out 2024 with the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year award.

A bulldozing season in black for Kaipo Olsen-Baker saw her acknowledged with the Black Ferns Player of the Year, while her provincial teammate Hollyrae Mete received the Fiao’o Fa’amausili Medal for her outstanding Farah Palmer Cup campaign for the Matawatū Cyclones.

Other domestic winners were Tasman’s Timoci Tavatavanawai and Whanganui’s Alekesio Vakarorogo winning the Duane Monkley Medal (NPC) and Ian Kirkpatrick Medal (Heartland Championship) respectively.

Waikato FPC Coach James Semple was recognised for his premiership-winning efforts with the National Women’s Coach of the Year, while Auckland midfielder Xavi Taele received the New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year.

Leaders in the community game were recognised with special awards highlighting the contribution of special volunteers, groups and rugby clubs.

Dunedin’s Green Island Rugby Football Club received the Rugby Club of the Year, Putāruru’s Conor Croke the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year and Erin Rayner from Sense Rugby the Te Hāpai New Zealand Rugby Community Impact Award.

After becoming New Zealand’s most-capped international match official, Ben O’Keeffe won the New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year for the fourth year in a row.

The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association Kirk Award was awarded to Dan Carter, while Ian Kirkpatrick was recognised for his outstanding service to the game with the Steinlager Salver.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees this year,’’ said NZ Rugby chief executive officer Mark Robinson.

“There is no doubt the gold medal at the Olympics for the Black Ferns Sevens at the Olympics was a real highlight, so the recognition for Jorja, Cory and the team is thoroughly deserved this evening.

“We had a great year in the community game, with growth across the board in registrations. Seeing the stories of some of our game’s unsung heroes tonight really highlights the heart of rugby.”