2017 ARN Spirit of Rugby Award

Rugby is often described by enthusiasts as a ‘lifestyle’ rather than merely a sport. Its values transcend the playing field. A game for all regardless of size, sex, nationality, or spiritual beliefs.

The Spirit of Rugby Award is one that largely takes into account the actions of individuals beyond mere on-field excellence. Finding exceptional examples is at the same time simply and difficult – with so many outstanding individuals involved in the sport how can we choose one above another?

It’s an impossible question to answer and admittedly this is a highly subjective category. That said, we believe the individuals below merit particular admiration for their achievements.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Returning from long-term injury is always difficult and it’s often the case that the repairs don’t quite restore a player to their former self, either by residual physical problems or psychological. For a young player it can damage one’s confidence. Emiliano Boffelli has shown no signs of that, however. After a serious knee injury suffered in mid-2016 while on Super Rugby duty the Argentine returned with a bang in 2017 and by the end of the year had established himself as a first choice winger for the Pumas.

The same type of injury can be particularly debilitating for players in the twilight of their career. Hubert Buydens required surgical repair for a knee injury suffered while playing for the San Diego Breakers. After more than a year away he returned to win his 44th test cap against Spain in November and now at the age of 36 he is preparing for another professional campaign, this time with the New Orleans Gold of the new Major League Rugby competition.

Damian McGrath was our Coach of the Year winner partly due to his commitment to the game which qualifies him for this award as well. Another Canadian educator caught our eye. Robin MacDowell is one of the most prolific coaches in the Americas. With his own Academy program in Saskatchewan, he also coaches numerous age grade teams, the University of Regina women’s team, and the Mexico Women’s Sevens side. His work ethic and commitment to the game are exemplary.

Two Hall of Famers stood out for their perserverence. Phaidra Knight returned to Eagles contention after spending several years as a CrossFit and Bobsled competitor before turning to coaching. At the age of 42 and at a new position – hooker – she didn’t quite make the World Cup side but won her 35th cap against Canada, some 18 years after making her international debut in 1999.

Heather Moyse deserves similar recognition for her extraordinary will to compete. One of Canada’s greatest women’s rugby players, the PEI native announced a return to bobsled competition in September, more than three years after winning Olympic gold – her second – in Sochi. At 39 years old Moyse picked up where she left off and while medals weren’t part of the script in Pyeongchang, a 6th-place finish in her fourth Olympic games is a remarkable achievement given the odds.

 

THE WINNER

None of the above faced the kind of adversity endured by Robert Paylor. The sophomore lock for the UCal Golden Bears suffered a catastrophic neck injury while playing in the Collegiate Nationanal Championship in May that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Amidst off-field controversy surrounding the incident Paylor simply went to work on his recovery.

Gradually the feelings in his arms returned and by July he displayed some voluntary movement in his legs. In late December he took his first steps without the aid of a harness and a month later was moving upright with only a walker for assistance. Next Tuesday he will be discharged from the Craig Spinal Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver – his home for the last nine months – and will return to his studies at the University of California.

For displaying extraordinary courage in the face of a life-altering event and inspiring others who may yet face a similar challenge, Robert Paylor is our selection for the 2017 ARN Spirit of Rugby Award.

For more on Robert’s progress please follow his GoFundMe page. A send-off fundraising event will be held at the Three Lions Pub in Denver this evening. For more information please see here.