Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) has been honoured at the recent Auckland Rugby awards night, scooping up three trophies.
After an outstanding year coaching the PURC U21 Cannons, Sani Sanileva was recognised as the most promising club coach of the year by the Auckland Rugby Union (ARU).
“Sanileva’s potential as a future coaching star was recognised with this award after leading the Pakuranga Under 21s team to an undefeated title,” said an ARU spokesperson.
The Cannons raised the Arthur Bayliss Cup after defeating Grammar TEC in the U21 final at Bell Park in July.
They also claimed the Whetton Brother Cup and the Sir Wilson Whineray Challenge Cup during their undefeated season of 14 games.
PURC director of rugby Grant ‘Boof’ Henson says Sanileva did a great job with a massive squad of over 40 players as well as leading his coaching unit of five assistants and a team manager.
“Sani being the great leader that he is, credits his team for his award and has been rewarded for his efforts in 2023 and his previous work across many teams of various levels in the wider community with his premier assistant coach role in 2024.
“We can’t wait for Sani to bring his experience and winning momentum into the Pakuranga premier team,” Henson says.
Sanileva was also one of four nominees for the Club Coach of the Year award, narrowly missing out to the Gallaher Shield-winning Manukau Coach.
It wasn’t the only award that the U21s contributed to however, with the club also claiming the Southland Shield.
The Southland Shield is awarded to the club with the best average championship points over the U21 and U85 restricted grades.
Alongside the U21’s title win, the PURC U85 Black Panthers finished runners-up on their grade.
“With our U21s going undefeated and our U85s only losing three games (including the final narrowly) in the ARU competition all year, it was natural that this award would come the way of Pakuranga,” says Henson.
He says it’s a credit to the great attacking style of both teams, but also to their stoic defence.
“Well done to the head coaches Sani Sanileva and Brad Martin and their management teams, and massive congratulations to all players involved with both of these teams… PURC are very proud to be part of your success,” Henson says.
To top off an already impressive night, PURC received the Jordan Rose Bowl for the highest standards in event management, sideline behaviour, on-field discipline and match official support throughout the 2023 season.
PURC general manager Mike Bongiovanni says the Jordan Rose Bowl is recognition for the great experience and management that the club employees and volunteers have committed to week in and week out.
“We are happy for our volunteers and employees to be recognised with this award,” he says.
