Heleina Young Collects Two Awards

Fijian flyer Heleina Young received the Spirit of the Reds award after a stunning maiden season, the winger patiently waiting to debut before scoring three tries in her first two games for Queensland.

The former Fiji Secondary Schools girls athlete spint champion picked up two prizes on Saturday during the Reds Super W Awards night at Ballymore.

Young, 22, as one of the nine debutants mentioned on the awards night.

Meanwhile Queensland and Australian Rugby stalwart Shannon Parry claimed the inaugural Shannon Parry Medal, named in her honour as the Queensland Reds’ Super W player of the season.

The honour caps a decorated career for Parry, who announced her retirement from a 13-year tenure across both Rugby Sevens and XVs earlier this year.

Parry, 33 won a Sevens Olympic Gold Medal in 2016, while she represented her country in four Rugby World Cups in the XV-a-side game.

Parry led both the Reds and Wallaroos over the last two seasons, reaching this year’s Super W Grand Final against the Fijiana Drua.

Prop Bree-Anna Cheatham was named the side’s best forward, while the competition’s leading point scorer Cecilia Smith was recognised as best back.

Both were constant features in the Reds starting side, with Smith collecting a personal tally of 69 points (three tries, 18 conversions, six penalties).

Haidee Head, 19, was named Rookie of the Year, with her jersey number-eight started in all six games for Queensland in her debut season.

Queensland Reds Super W Awards 2023: Shannon Parry Medal – Shannon Parry, Best Back – Cecilia Smith, Best Forward – Bree-Anna Cheatham, Spirit of the Reds – Heleina Young, Rookie of the Year – Haidee Head, Queensland Reds 2023 Debutants: Sam Curtis, Haidee Head, Joana Rabaka, Deni Ross, Caitlin Urwin, Carrys Dallinger, Dianne Hinni, Christo Tofa and Helenia Young.

Source- Reds Rugby