Vodafone Warriors Jerome Ropati, Siliva Havili and Mason Lino have all been honoured at the 2014 NRL–RLPA Academic Team of the Year Awards announced in Sydney today.
Ropati, who ended his 145-game Vodafone Warriors career earlier this season, has won the inaugural NRL Pasifika Academic Excellence Award along with fellow NRL veteran and former Kiwi team-mate Sam Perrett.
Havili has been named in the NRL Academic of the Year and Lino in the NYC Academic Team of the Year.
The Pasifika Academic Excellence Award is available to two NRL players of Pasifika heritage who have excelled and demonstrated a long-term commitment to rugby league, academia and Pasifika outreach.
During his 12 seasons as an NRL player Ropati (29) was tirelessly committed to both Vodafone Warriors and personal community initiatives and activities. He has a special interest in educational programmes having been the face of and a driving force behind the Konica Minolta-sponsored League in Libraries literacy programme.
Now in retirement his involvement has stepped up further in an ambassador’s role for the club.
As a recipient of the Pasifika award, Ropati will join Perrett during the off-season on a scholarship at the famed University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The Kiwi internationals travel to Los Angeles to learn about Pacific Islander studies and Pasifika outreach programmes at UCLA. During their 10-day stay they will also attending training and matches with college sporting teams.
Ropati was humbled by the acknowledgement.
“It’s a huge honour to be the first co-winner of this award with Sam,” he said.
“I had to make the decision earlier than I had wanted to end my playing career but throughout I have always enjoyed the chance to make a contribution off the field and to help in the community in any way I can.”
Vodafone Warriors welfare and education manager Jerry Seuseu said Ropati had been the ultimate example of an NRL player who had achieved balance between his football career and his life off it.
“This is well-deserved recognition for Jerome,” he said.
“He has made a huge contribution in the community and is doing even more now as an ambassador for the club. He has always given real consideration to his options away from football.”
By being named in the NRL Academic Team of the Year, Havili has added another achievement in a memorable year which has already featured his NRL debut and his first Test for the Kiwis. He is in his final year studying a Bachelor of Health Science (specialising in podiatry) at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
And Lino makes the NYC Academic Team of the Year. On the field he brought up 50 appearances in the NYC this year while he is also attending AUT completing a Bachelor of Business.
“We had David Bhana acknowledged last year when he finished his degree at the University of Auckland last year,” said Seuseu.
“Now Siliva and Mason have shown again how critical it is for our young players to have options outside football.”
NRL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Broncos | Todd Lowrie
Cert IV in Project Management
Cert IV in Small Business
Capital Training Institute & Arouni Tech
Bulldogs | Dale Finucane
Bachelor of Health and Movement
Australian College of Physical Education
Raiders | David Shillington
Bachelor of Business
Diploma of Business
University of Canberra
Cowboys | Brent Tate
Cert IV Frontline Management
Cert IV Small Business
Skill 360
Sea Eagles | Tom Symonds
Graduated Bachelor of Health Exercise Science
University of NSW
Sea Eagles | Brenton Lawrence
Bachelor of Arts in International studies (completed)
Certificates III and IV in Training
Australian Institute of Workforce Development
Storm | Ryan Hoffman
Bachelor of Business
Open Universities
Knights | Robbie Rochow
Degree in Civil Engineering
University of Newcastle
Panthers | Jeremy Latimore
Bachelor of Commerce
University of Wollongong
Panthers Education Ambassador
Panthers | Ryan Simpkins
Diploma in Hydraulics Design
Qualified Plumber
St Leonards Tafe
Rabbitohs | Jason Clark
Cert III Fitness and Cert IV in Small Business
Australian Institute of Fitness & Elite training company
Qualified Apprentice Carpenter
Dragons | Jason Nightingale
Bachelor of Business Degree
University of Wollongong
Vodafone Warriors | Siliva Havili
Bachelor of Health Science – Podiatry
Auckland University of Technology
NYC TEAM OF THE YEAR
Bulldogs | Adam Elliott
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Sydney University
Raiders | Andrew Heffernan
Bachelor of Sports Coaching & Exercise Science
University of Canberra
Cowboys | Corey Jensen
Degree in Sport & Exercise Science
James Cook University
Titans | Mitch Sharp
Bachelor of Nursing
Griffith University
Sea Eagles | Jack Delaney
Bachelor of Business & Commerce
University of Western University
Storm | Christian Welch
Bachelor Commerce degree
Melbourne University
Knights | Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Bachelor of Construction Management
University of Newcastle
Panthers | Joshjua Tangitau
Degree in Exercise Sports Science
Australian Catholic University
Sharks | Ben Chahoud
Carpentry Apprenticeship
Bronson Construction
Rabbitohs | Cheyne Whitelaw
Bachelor of Exercise Physiology
University of New South Wales
Dragons | Adam Clune
Degree in Law
University of Wollongong
Vodafone Warriors | Mason Lino
Bachelor of Business
Auckland University of Technology
Wests Tigers | Nathan Milone
Bachelor of Business
University of Technology Sydney
TRADESMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD & APPRENTICE MENTOR
Broncos | Aaron Rockley
Qualified Carpenter
All Trades Queensland
Currently employed by Brett Walters
Broncos | Adam Brideson
State Manager KPD
Former NRL player with Bulldogs
NRL PASIFIKA ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
(Sponsored by the NRL and Diamond Galleria)
Vodafone Warriors | Jerome Ropati
Diploma in Business & Bachelor of Health
Auckland University of Technology
NZ University Blues Award winner 2008
Vodafone Warriors Education Committee Member & Ambassador
Vodafone Warriors League in Libraries reading programme captain
Deacon youth leader of local church since 2007
Husband and father of three
Vodafone Warriors | 145 games, 2003-2014
Kiwis | 11 Tests, 2005-2009; World Cup winner, 2008
Bulldogs | Sam Perrett
Diploma in Management
Cert IV Building and Construction
Qualified Builder
Owns and runs construction company
“Trade- Up with the NRL” Apprentice mentor.
NRL Education Ambassador 2012-2014
NRL Pasifika players’ advisory group
11th season as an NRL player
Husband and father of four
Played more than 200 NRL games
Played 21 Tests for Kiwis 2007-2014
