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By RugbyWA Media
Nathan Sharpe
Emirates Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe and vice-captain David Pocock have been shortlisted for the prestigious Rugby Union Players’ Association ‘Medal for Excellence’.
Sharpe is a two times winner, claiming the honour in 2002 and again in 2005, and would join former Brumbies scrumhalf George Gregan as the only player to be presented with the award on three occasions should he be victorious this year.
Pocock meantime is the reigning ‘Medal for Excellence’ winner and backed up his superb 2010 campaign with another outstanding year for the Emirates Western Force. A win for Pocock would make him the only player aside from fellow backrow star George Smith to win the award in consecutive seasons.
The RUPA ‘Medal for Excellence’ is a peer elected award in which every professional player in Australia allocates votes on a 3-2-1 basis for someone who they believe excelled on and off the field in 2011. Players can’t vote for their own team mates.
Players were asked to consider their peers achievements in areas of: performance, leadership, consistency and discipline plus their contribution to charitable work, vocational skills and their commitment to the development of the game.
Joining Sharpe and Pocock as finalists in the Medal for Excellence are Melbourne Rebels back Mark Gerrard and Brumbies pair Pat McCabe and Stephen Moore.
Pocock has also been nominated for the RUPA ‘Foundation Community Service’ award as has fellow Emirates Western Force team mates Nathan Charles.
Charles revealed his battle with Cystic Fibrosis this year and became the foundation’s National Ambassador, working hard to raise funds for research into Cystic Fibrosis and also raise awareness including featuring in a national TV campaign.
Pocock’s off-field influence has been directed through the charity EightyTwenty Vision which he helped form in 2009. The projects are focussed on developing sustainable communities in his native Zimbabwe.
Continuing the positive momentum for the Emirates Western Force is backrower Matt Hodgson who is in line for the Academic Achievement Award. Hodson has shown a continuous commitment to education & professional development and since completing his Bachelor of Exercise Science & Sports Management in 2009, he has completed a Real Estate Sales Agent course (2010) & this year enrolled in Masters of Business Management (Sports Law) at Deacon University.
“In 2011, the RUPA membership has made a significant contribution to the game in Australia with successes in the Super Rugby competition, Tri-Nations and reaching the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.’ said RUPA CEO Greg Harris.
“However, a player’s life as a professional is about more than just making tackles and winning matches, it’s about preparing for a life after footy and giving back to those less fortunate. This event acknowledges these successes and the achievements which the players have also made with respect to their own personal development through education and community involvement.”
Winners will be announced at the RUPA Awards Luncheon to be held next Wednesday, 14 December at the Ivy in Sydney.
Past winners of the RUPA Rugby Medal for Excellence are:
2001 - George Gregan (Brumbies)
2002 - Nathan Sharpe (Emirates Western Force)
2003 - Brendan Cannon (Waratahs)
2004 - George Gregan (Brumbies)
2005 - Nathan Sharpe (Emirates Western Force)
2006 - George Gregan (Brumbies)
2007 - George Smith (Brumbies)
2008 - George Smith (Brumbies)
2009 - Berrick Barnes (Reds)
2010 - David Pocock (Emirates Western Force)
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Originally Posted by Burgs
