30/08/2026
🏆❤️🖤 **JUNIOR PRIZEGIVING 2026 | NGĀ TOHU WHAKANUI** 🖤❤️🏆
We’re a little late getting this one up — **aroha mai!** But there was no way we were finishing our season without acknowledging all of the amazing people who made it what it was.
On Thursday we came together for our **Taupō United Junior Rugby Prizegiving** — a chance to celebrate our tamariki, recognise some special achievements, and most importantly, say **ngā mihi** to everyone who has stood behind our junior kaupapa this season.
First, a massive mihi to our Taupo United Committee:
❤️ Rauhina Isaacs🖤 Donna Kerr❤️ Kelly Wineera🖤 Sonny Broughton and❤️ George.
There are a lot of hours, conversations, organising, problem-solving and mahi that happen behind the scenes to make a junior season happen. Thank you for continuing to show up for our kids and our club.
A huge mihi also to our sponsors and supporters — CNP, BMD Logging Limited, GM Painters, Mainfreight, Taupō Cosmopolitan Club and Te Puni Kōkiri.
Your support has helped us provide opportunities, experiences, gear and memories for our tamariki throughout the season. We are incredibly grateful to have you backing our kaupapa.
🏉 **NGĀ TOHU O NGĀ TĪMA | TEAM AWARDS**
**U6 | NGĀ ITI**
🏆 MVP — Eli Durham
⭐ Most Improved — CJ Cornelius
❤️ Players’ Player — Anika Gardiner & Rio Durham
**U7 | NGĀ AHI**
🏆 MVP — Jaxson Wiggins
⭐ Most Improved — Kingston Samuels-Sollitt
❤️ Players’ Player — Demiah Habib
**U8 | NGĀ TOA**
🏆 MVP — Kyzae Dempsey
⭐ Most Improved — Karter Pitiroi
❤️ Players’ Player — Jayme Benson
**U9 | NGĀ KAHA**
🏆 MVP — Keirapa Wineera
⭐ Most Improved — Waiorongo Morehu-Isaacs
❤️ Players’ Player — Cooper Hill
🌟 **NGĀ TOHU O TE KARAPU | CLUB AWARDS**
🏉 **Junior Referee of the Year** — Jax Gilmer
🌺 **Ako Wahine** — Olyv Pitiroi
❤️ **Club Person of the Year** — Dames Pitiroi
🤝 **Sportsmanship of the Year** — Te Auahituroa Fenwick
🖤 **Te Pou Manaaki** — Toni & Bugs Durham
Congratulations to every one of our award recipients — ka mau te wehi!
But trophies are only one small part of what we celebrate.
To **every player who pulled on the red and black this year**, we are proud of you. For the tries, tackles and wins, absolutely — but also for the courage, friendships, learning, resilience and manaakitanga you showed along the way.
To our **coaches and managers**, Awhi & Carey Cornelius, Bugs & Toni Durham, Hala Tukaki, Kristen Brehaut, Caela Tukaki, Shane Sollitt, Ems & Laury Walden, Dames Pitiroi, Jenna Bowers, Kassy & Paora Wineera, Stacy Hill and Victor King thank you for giving your time and energy week after week.
To our **refs and volunteers**, thank you for stepping up and making the game possible.
And finally, to **all of our parents, caregivers and whānau** — **tēnei te mihi ki a koutou.**
Thank you for getting our kids to trainings and games. For the early mornings, muddy boots, sideline support, shared kai, helping hands and for backing what we have been trying to build at United.
Our junior club isn't just about rugby.
It is about **belonging. Whanaungatanga. Manaakitanga. Our kids knowing that this is their club and that there is a place here for them.**
We started this season together, and we finish it the same way — **United.** ❤️🖤
**Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.**
Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa for an awesome 2026 season.
UNITED AS ONE. ❤️🖤🏉
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