NSW Waratahs' unsung hero, Jeremy Tilse took out the Academic Achievement Award in 2014, presented to the Australian professionally contracted player who has undertaken and excelled in any level of education, personal or professional development.
Always proactive in his approach to learning, Jeremy Tilse this year completed an Advanced Diploma of Management, adding to his line-up of off-field endeavours, including a Certificate IV in Building and Construction that he has previously accomplished.
A builder by trade, from restoring boats, engines and all, to obtaining his pilot’s licence, to say that Jeremy is a keen learner is an understatement.
The competition for the 2014 Academic Achievement Award hit a surplus in 2014 with 12 nominees put forward, all having demonstrated dedication and commitment to personal and professional development across a broad range of studies.
The Award is a recognition as part of RUPA’s Player Development Program (PDP), which supports and develops players in a range of off-field areas, including education, financial support and advice, mental health and development.
Players are nominated by RUPA’s Player Development Managers, who work within each Super Rugby team to assist and support players in off-field areas, as part of the PDP.
The key to the PDP is to ensure professionally contracted Australian rugby players are armed with the required tools and knowledge to be able to prosper when the time comes to hang up the boots, whether it is because of retirement, injury or other related instance.
The Academic Achievement Award exists to recognise players who have achieved in areas outside of rugby and juggled off-field development with the full-time responsibilities required as a professional player.
Previous winners of the Academic Achievement Award include Matt Hodgson in 2011, Pat McCabe in 2012 and Tom Kingston in 2013.
The 12 nominees were reduced to five finalists before the winner was presented by RUPA partner, Kaplan Professional, at the recent Volvo-RUPA Awards Lunch on Wednesday 10 December.
The players put forward for this year's Academic Achievement Award are below.
Jarrad Butler & Josh Mann-Rea – Brumbies
In 2014 Jarrad Butler balanced his impressive opening year for the Brumbies with the Diploma of Management (Business) course he had started in 2013 and a Bachelor of Commerce which he commenced this year through the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). Jarrad managed to achieve outstanding results on the field, winning the Brumbies’ Shawn Mackay Most Outstanding Young Talent Award and the Brett Robinson Award for Players’ Player, and off the field, in the units he studied as part of his course this year.
It’s been a hugely successful year for Josh Mann-Rea too who, at 33 years of age, became the oldest to debut as a Wallaby before being recently recalled to join the current Spring Tour. A world away from his former coal-mining days, the father of two has also managed to complete a Diploma of Management (Business) and was accepted as an apprentice to complete his study.
Nick Phipps & Tala Gray – NSW Waratahs
A Super Rugby Championship win with the NSW Waratahs and a full-time gig as the Wallabies’ halfback, all whilst focusing on successfully completing a Bachelor of Business has spelled a busy year for Nick. Having started the degree back in his days with the Melbourne Rebels, Nick has committed his attention to finalising his study, managing to complete six units of study this year, three in semester one and three in semester two.
Tala Grey was keen to resume his studies in 2014, having previously attained a Diploma of Business during his time at the Brumbies. He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to his education, enrolling in and completing an Advanced Diploma of Management whilst running on for his Super Rugby Championship team.
Dane Haylett-Petty –Western Force
Dane has been studying a Bachelor of Commerce via distance education during his stint overseas in France and Japan and since returning to Australia with the Western Force. Not only proving as a reliable asset for both the Force and his Buildcorp NRC Perth Spirit side, Dane has been able to maintain high results in his degree. Regularly seen in the office studying, Dane has also expressed interest in work experience and participated in several workshops and seminars to broaden his knowledge in education and vocational areas.
Pama Fou & Evania Pelite – National Sevens
Having previously completed her Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in Queensland, Evania has demonstrated a dedication to continue learning. Despite deferring her studies this year after a move to Sydney with the official centralisation of the National Sevens program in Narrabeen, Evania has been keen to keep her mind ticking over. In 2014 she therefore decided to take up a Diploma of Business to fit in with her rugby Sevens career.
As a former Australian Institute of Sport Volleyball player, Pama Fou’s ability on the sporting field is evident, having acted as a key member of the Men’s Australian Sevens since his debut in 2011. He also made the move to Sydney from Brisbane as part of the National Sevens program, making the most of the opportunities the PDP offers by enrolling in the Diploma of Business this year.
Tom Kingston – Melbourne Rebels
After completing his undergraduate degree in commerce in 2013, Tom was accepted into the Juris Doctor Law Program at Melbourne’s RMIT University. Tom earned 12 Rebels caps this year and a distinction for the unit he completed in semester one. The subject required three intensive weekends on campus, some following a Super Rugby match. He is currently attending university three nights a week to complete the three units he is enrolled in this semester.
Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani and David McDuling – Queensland Reds
Already a nominee for the 2014 Newcomer of the Year, it’s not just on the rugby field that Samu Kerevi is excelling. In 2014 Samu and teammate Chris Kuridrani were successful in achieving a Diploma of Business and a Certificate IV in Mentoring Diverse Groups through Mission Australia.
This is the first time both Samu and Chris have studied since leaving school and is a significant achievement for their first year of Super Rugby, whilst making a substantial contribution to their Brisbane City team’s inaugural Buildcorp NRC Championship campaign.
Having sustained severe knee injuries in both 2012 and 2013, Dave McDuling turned his focus to his study whilst trying to regain his match fitness. Having stepped up as Brisbane City’s Captain in the Buildcorp NRC this year, Dave recently completed his Bachelor of Commerce/Liberal Studies through the Queensland University of Technology, as well as a Diploma of Business this year.
