Exciting young forward James Uesele had a night to remember at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Junior Representative Presentation Evening.
Held at Manly Leagues Club last Friday night, Uesele took out the top award - the Jake Trbojevic Junior Representative Player of the Year - on a night that celebrated the superb achievements of the Sea Eagles' Harold Matthews (U16) and SG Ball (U18) teams.
Manly claimed the Harold Matthews title for the first time in the competition's 48 year history.
Earlier, Uesele also won the Sea Eagles' Harold Matthews Player of the Year award.
Other award winners were hooker Gordon Cham Kum Tong (Harold Matthews Players' Player and Harold Matthews Coach's Award); second-rower/five-eighth Joshua Schuster (SG Ball Player of the Year, and Players' Player), and full-back Keegan Turner (SG Ball Coach's Award).
To be considered for the Player of the Year award, a player had to demonstrate the following criteria:
- Teamwork
- Outstanding individual performance
- Commitment and consistency of attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Show leadership and respect for team-mates, coaching and support staff.
Premiership winning Harold Matthews Coach Trevor Ott said Uesele had an 'outstanding' season.
"James was our leading player at the start of the season and after the loss of prop Tyreece Matangi, he was the forward that continually played big minutes and put his hand up to do it in every game,'' Ott said.
"His effort on effort was really good for a middle forward.
"James is a very skilful forward and very unassuming in the way he carries himself. He is a very humbled person."
2018 Junior Rep Award winners
Jake Trbojevic Junior Representative Player of the Year: James Uesele
Harold Matthews Player of the Year: James Uesele
Harold Matthews Players' Player: Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Harold Matthews Coach's Award: Gordon Chan Kum Tong
SG Ball Player of the Year: Joshua Schuster
SG Ball Players' Player: Joshua Schuster
SG Ball Coach's Award: Keegan Turner
