Fairhurst and Burk named Canadian Direct Insurance Players of the Year; Hopkins receives Joan Spray honour
Vancouver, BC: At a ceremony in the Waterfall Building last night, the British Columbia Rugby Union announced the recipients of three major awards for the 2010-2011 season. Team Canada scrum half Ed Fairhurst, who is currently competing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup was announced as the Canadian Direct Insurance Men's Player of the Year. North Shore rugby product Andrea Burk who stars for the Capilano RFC is 2010-2011 Canadian Direct Insurance Women's Player of the Year. The third and final award presented this week went to Trish Hopkins, who was announced as the Joan Spray Memorial Award recipient.
ED FAIRHURST – Canadian Direct Insurance Men's Player of the Year Since progressing through the Saint Michael's University School and University of Victoria Vikes Rugby programs early in his career, Ed Fairhust has continued to excel at the club, provincial and national level.
After playing professionally with Cardiff and the Cornish Pirates in the United Kingdom, Fairhurst has since relocated to Vancouver where he has split his time as an Investment Advisor as well as a regular in the lineup for the UBC Old Boys Ravens.
In the Fall of 2010, Fairhurst played a key role in the Ravens' Lower Mainland Elite title run, as the club lifted their second straight MIller Cup with a 30-0 championship victory over West side rivals Meraloma Rugby Club. During the 2011 Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League season, Fairhurst led the Ravens in scoring contributing 69 points, good enough for third in the competition.
Fairhurst was integral in the Ravens' third place regular season finish, seeing them through to the quarterfinals. The sharpshooter continued to be in top form during the first round of playoffs, kicking two penalties and two conversions to down Burnaby Lake Rugby Club 38-15. The Ravens advanced to the Semifinals of the Premier League before coming up just short to the Meralomas by a score of 18-12.
His consistency on the pitch earned him another call up to the national team where he donned the maple leaf at the 2011 Churchill Cup in England as well as the first leg of the USA vs Canada series. Achieving the highest honour for a rugby player, Fairhurst was then selected for his third straight Rugby World Cup appearance.
On Tuesday, September 13th, Fairhurst started at scrum half for Canada in their 25-20 Rugby World Cup opening victory over Tonga. Suiting up alongside him for the national team were 14 other Canadian players that have been through the BC club league competitions.
Canadian Direct Insurance BC Player of the Year previous winners: David Spicer (2009-2010) Eric WIlson (2008-2009) Dave Biddle (2007-2008) Adam Van Stavern (2006-2007) *DTH van der Merwe (2005-2006) Mike Andrew (2004-2005) (2003-2004) Not presented *Pat Riordan (2002-2003) Mark Lawson (2001-2002)
*Previous BC Rugby Players of the Year currently competing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup
Current World Cup players who received votes for the 2010-2011 Canadian Direct Insurance BC Player of the year include; 1. Chauncey O'Toole (Castaway Wanderers RFC) 2. Frank Walsh (Castaway Wanderers RFC) 3. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria Vikes RFC) 4. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers RFC) 5. Ander Munro (Castaway Wanderers RFC) 6. Mike Scholz (Castaway Wanderers RFC) 7. Scott Franklin (Castaway Wanderers RFC)
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ANDREA BURK – Canadian Direct Insurance Women's Player of the Year It has been quite a year for Capilano rugby standout Andrea Burk who can add another accolade to her resume. The Carson Graham product and two-time Atlantic University Player of the Year has continued to develop as one of the top rugby players in the country.
This past Spring, Burk led the British Columbia Women's Adidas Premiership in scoring, notching 90 of Capilano RFC's 232 total points. Crossing over for a league-best 11 tries, Burk played a crucial role in her club's third place regular season finish and qualification to the provincial semifinals.
Her form continued into the summer where she led the British Columbia Senior provincial team in scoring at the National Women's League Finals. With her team capturing bronze over Quebec, Burk was the nation's second-highest scorer, kicking three penalties and four conversions for a total of 17 points.
"Andrea is a great player who brings incredible energy to everything she does," said fellow Capilano and BC team mate Hilary Leith. "She is a leader on and off the field and someone to look up to."
Burk was once again called up for national duty where she started three times for Canada during their 2011 Nations Cup campaign this past August. Burk showed her versatility during the tournament suiting up both at outside centre and on the wing.
Congratulations to Andrea Burk, 2010-2011 Canadian Direct Insurance Women's Player of the Year.
BC Player of the Year previous winners: Anna Schnell (2009-2010) Mandy Marchak (2008-2009) Mandy Marchak (2007-2008) Charlotte Haley (2006-2007) Julia Sugawara (2005-2006) Rosie Cobbett (2004-2005) *(2003-2004) Not presented Kristi Smith (2002-2003) Kelly McCallum (2001-2002)
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TRISH HOPKINS - Joan Spray Memorial Award Recipient The Joan Spray Memorial Award is presented annually to a female member of the local BC Rugby community who through volunteering, has exhibited dedication through a lifelong contribution to the sport. Hopkins, this year's award winner, has served the local community through years as a volunteer athletic therapist.
Over the past three decades, Hopkins has spent hours volunteering her time at the club, provincial and national level devoting much of her hours to the West Vancouver club UBC Old Boy Ravens RFC. Hopkins has also mentored a number of young athletic therapists in other sports as well as rugby, working out of the Alan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre.
Hopkins sat on numerous committees over the years and served as the Chair of Sport Physiotherapy Canada from 1980-1982. She has been selected as a physiotherapist to a number of international teams including the World Student Games (FISU 1985), Pan Am Games (1987), Summer Olympics (1988 & 1992) and Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006). She was also the Venue Athlete Medical Supervisor (VMS) for Curling at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Past recipients of the Joan Spray Memorial Award: Cheryl Forman (2010) Connie McGinley (2009) Annie McGeachy (2008) Tanya Donaldson (2007) Stephanie White (2006) Katy Bishop (2005) (2004) Not presented Susan Purewal (2003) Geraldine Griffiths (2002) Ruth Hellerud-Brown (2001) Trish Silvester-Lee (2000) Beverlee Clark (1999) Penny Turpin (1998) Angie Gudmunseth (1997) Joan Porter (1996)
