34 ARMYSPORT
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
SIONE AKAU
CPL Sione Akau’s first rugby league game was something of a disaster. The QAMR LAV commander had never played the game before until the first year he enlisted in the Army in 2010. “I got smashed around a lot and I got a 60 metre runaway to win the game but cramped up 10 metres before the try line. Even though we lost that day, I’ve been addicted to the sport ever since. I enjoy the physicality and contact in the game.” It’s fortuitous he stayed with the game: he has now been awarded the Army’s Individual Sports Person of the Year Award. As a youngster he was always outside. “That saw me play all kinds of sports, but my primary sports now are rugby league, rugby and a bit of golf. I generally play for Linton Cobras but due to Manawatu not having a premier rugby league competition I’ve had to switch codes to rugby.” CPL Akau plays mainly in the halves. “But as the years have gone by and the kilograms have increased, I’ve slowly started making my way to the forward pack. The biggest thing I enjoy about playing rugby league is playing alongside mates. How tight we are off the field is shown on the field with the trust and the selflessness that is displayed.” He says he has been fortunate to have the support of his unit, QAMR. “When I have been selected as part of touring teams, I’ve been excused from Regiment PT so I can train specific for sports. It can be difficult during the busier periods of the year but you make it work.
He played in the tri-series tour last year. “All the games were quite close but unfortunately we didn’t get the results we were after, and Australia Army Rugby league won the competition. Both our games against the Ozzies and the Brits saw stages where we lead and things were looking promising, but we just couldn’t finish off the job. Although we didn’t get any wins, the tour was definitely a step in the right direction for growing the code. There was a lot of lessons learned and definitely a burning desire to be better for the next tri-series. In our match against the Brits, they named me their man of the match.”
CPL Akau says winning the sports award is “pretty surreal”. “It’s a humbling feeling (receiving this award). I am really fortunate to have a loving partner who always supports me and takes care of our home life so I can continue to play sport.” CPL Akau won the award earlier this year but, due to having to work at a Managed Isoilation Facility was not available for a photograph until now.
“The biggest thing I enjoy about playing rugby league is playing alongside mates. How tight we are off the field is shown on the field with the trust and the selflessness that is displayed.”
