Wallaby Berrick Barnes has finished 2009 on a high winning the Rugby Medal for Excellence, as judged by the 132 professionals who make up the Rugby Union Players' Association.
Barnes played in Australia's last four matches at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and over the last few years has developed into an influential member of the Wallabies squad.
He has gone on to make 17 Test appearances for Australia and scored a try in his last international against New Zealand earlier this month in Auckland
The 2009 Super Rugby season saw Berrick featured in 11 of QR Reds 13 matches, performing at both inside centre and flyhalf. He has scored 37 points for the Wallabies – 4 tries, 1 conversion and 5 drop goals.
Outgoing RUPA Chief Executive, Tony Dempsey said that Berrick’s on and off field performance speaks for itself.
“Being named as Vice Captain of the Wallabies is a reflection of the high esteem Berrick is held in by both his peers and the ARU coaching staff. It was unfortunate he was injured and unable to tour with the Wallabies however, I’m sure he will have an even better 2010.”
“The Medal for Excellence is unique in that it also recognises that sportspeople have a broader responsibility to the community than just playing sport.”
The Medal of Excellence recognizes the work that players are doing for life after rugby and through Berrick’s study at Griffith Uni and now the University of Sydney, he is looking to prepare himself for post sport opportunities.
The Rugby Medal for Excellence is a true ‘players’ player’ award, with all 132 Super 14 players - as RUPA members - eligible to vote annually on a 3-2-1 basis.
Each player is asked to vote for a fellow player who they believed excelled on and off the field in 2009 in areas of performance, leadership, consistency and discipline plus their contribution to charitable work, vocational skills and their commitment to the development of the game.
Joining Berrick in receiving an award was QR Reds prop, Laurie Weeks, winning the RUPA Newcomer of the Year Award.
Laurie established himself as the starting tighthead prop early in the 2009 season and played every Investec Super 14 match. Laurie was voted both the Investec Super 14 and QR Reds Rookie of the Year.
Dempsey said “Laurie has worked hard to ensure that he was in the starting position for the Reds. He is an integral and respected member of their side and a great prospect for Australian Rugby.”
Laurie completed a Diploma of Business in 2009 and has enrolled in a Bachelor of Business through the University of Southern Queensland for 2010. He has also given his spare time to charity work, particularly the Smith Family, where the Reds have linked with Vienna Woods School in Queensland.
Past winners of the RUPA Medal for Excellence:-
2001 - George Gregan
2002 - Nathan Sharpe
2003 - Brendan Cannon
2004 - George Gregan
2005 - Nathan Sharpe
2006 – George Gregan
2007 – George Smith
2008 – George Smith
Past winners of the RUPA Newcomer of the Year:-
2006 – Berrick Barnes
2007 – David Pocock
2008 – Ben Lucas