Sponsored by Cobb & Co. Dunedin

Paula & Jason Clark - Cromwell RFC

“The backbone of the Cromwell Rugby Club & Central Otago Women’s Rugby, Paula and Jason Clark have been instrumental in the day to day running of these clubs. Through their dedication and commitment to growing the women’s game, Paula and Jason, set out in 2020 to rally women into playing rugby for the Central Otago region. The team had its debut season in the Otago Metro Competition in 2021 and the team has flourished due to the dedication from Paula and Jason in the background to organise trainings, dinners after trainings, games, travel, sponsors … just to name a few. The growth and atmosphere of the team has been astounding with the teams ages ranging in 16-38! Paula and Jason, are also instrumental in running the Cromwell Rugby Football Club, where Paula was the first female president in 2020-2021. Jason has also been the president of the club and has been coaching/managing teams for 30 years - an astounding length of time. Jason also plays a hands on role with the Otago Country Committee. Paula and Jason are the backbone behind these two clubs and these clubs would be no where without these too! They have been involved in the club for over 15 plus years either coaching, managing, president, committee member or managing the facility. They have done it all!! Hours and hours each winter they give up their time to make sure everyone gets to play rugby, everyone is well kitted being the main sponsor behind two of the teams in area!! The does was founded by Paula and Jason and has turned into their baby and they have watched in grow from year to year! Starting a club is hard but these too make it look easy!! They are also apart of the Cromwell Sports club which Paula and Jason both spend hours cleaning, getting licenses, meetings, and filling up the bar so over 5 sporting club in the Cromwell area can use this facility week in and week out!! Without a doubt they are the best thing to happy to the club and forever grateful for all they do! With the recent accident they were both involved in, it shows how much these two mean to the Otago community, and of course my mum in her worse moments was worried about every single person rather than herself!!"

Congratulations Paula and Jason, you have scored yourself a $100 Cobb & Co. meal voucher!

All other nominees, Nathan Hull. Greg Heller and Jack McLaughlan have scored themselves a $50 Cobb & Co meal voucher.

Thank you to all our volunteers for the work that you do for our rugby community week in, week out. We couldn't do it without you all.

Article added: Monday 31 July 2023