Prized title keenly contested

Faianga'a Savieti is in the running for the prestigious Heartland 'Player of the Year' award.

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The South Canterbury Rugby Union annual awards will be keenly contested tonight.

The prestigious Heartland "Player of the Year" is likely to go down to the wire.

In the mix will be loose forwards Eric Smith and Tui Tauelangi, along with prop Faianga'a Savieti.

Also in with a chance are halfback Sekope Maea and wing Maile Iongi, while loan player Kayne Wahlstrom may also be in the mix after kicking South Canterbury to victory in two close games.

All except Wahlstrom are also likely to be keenly awaiting the naming of the Heartland XV to take on the Marist XV on November 14.

The side's most promising player is likely to be Jimmy Owen, who has shown he will be a class act in seasons to come if he is not lured away.

Maea may also qualify if he does not take out the big prize.

South Canterbury's strong finish to the season in making the Meads Cup semifinal is likely to make the awards evening one of the best in years.

The senior club "Player of the Year" is much harder to pick but is likely to come from club champions Celtic.

The Dave Parson Memorial Trophy, for the outstanding contribution by a rep player, will be another closely contested award with Ryan Gilbert (under 16), Tom Walsh (under 18), Richard Preston (development) and Jimmy Owen (Heartland) in the mix.

The nominees for the "Club Administrator – Volunteer of the Year" are Bob O'Connor (Celtic), Shilo King (Geraldine), Barry Booker (Harlequins), Margaret Thomas (Mackenzie), Alistair Henderson (Old Boys), Mark Chamberlain (Pleasant Point), Ken Darby (Temuka) and Tony Stevenson (Waimate).

Other awards from under-16 up, including secondary schoolgirls, will also be presented.

The event at the Landing Service Building is a sellout, with the guest speaker, former All Black Bryan Williams.

Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach is also attending, the first time anyone from that neck of the woods has attended in a long time, which is another positive for the SCRU.