Vodafone acknowledges pre-season stars

Vodafone Shield award winners, front, left to right, Kim Thurbon (on behalf of Mick Lang), Andrew Fagan (Brumbies Rugby), Sandy Soames (Vodafone), Henry Afamasaga, back, Arthur Jones, Brendan O’Neill, Jack Vanderglas, Luke Roughton and Henry Seavula.

Eight players from the ACT club rugby ranks were rewarded for their outstanding form during the pre-season Vodafone Club Shield competition today.

Each of the participating clubs were invited to nominate their player of the tournament from across the grades (first, second, Colts and thirds grades) with each player receiving a Nokia mobile phone from tournament sponsor Vodafone.

Vodafone State Sales Manager NSW & ACT Sandra Soames said she was pleased to continue their involvement with Australian rugby at all levels.

“We’re thrilled to be backing rugby through our sponsorship of the Wallabies, Waratahs, Reds, Force and the Brumbies,” she said.

“We’re particularly proud to support local ACT and regional rugby through the Vodafone Shield and wish to congratulate each player on their individual success throughout this year’s competition.”

Winners of the awards were:

* Henry Afamasaga (Tuggeranong Vikings);
* Daniel Francis (Southern Inland);
* Arthur Jones (Uni-Norths Owls);
* Mick Lang (Royals);
* Brendan O'Neill (Gungahlin Eagles);
* Luke Roughton (Western District Lions);
* Henry Seavula (Queanbeyan Whites); and
* Jack Vanderglas (Eastern Suburbs).

The Vodafone Club Shield is a four-week pre-season competition involving first, second, third and Colts grades from seven ACT Premier Division clubs as well as Southern Inland.

The Tuggeranong Vikings claimed their second successive Vodafone Shield in April defeating Wests, 28-22, in the final at Canberra Stadium.