For the second time this week a young Vodafone Warriors player has been honoured with rookie NYC standoff Ata Hingano being named Junior Sportsman of the Year at the Counties Manukau Sports Awards.
His accolade came days after new NYC signing Erin Clark (17) collected the top rugby league award at the ASB Young Sportsperson of the Year Awards.
Hingano, who turned 17 in March this year, made his Vodafone Junior Warriors debut just a few weeks later when he appeared in the halves against Cronulla in April.
The Pakuranga Jaguars junior, educated at Pakuranga College, went on to play 16 NYC matches this season, showing outstanding maturity as well as ability in helping the side to reach the play-offs en route to their grand final success against Brisbane.
He was called on to play in the halves in the preliminary final, paired in the halves with Mason Lino for the thrilling 29-26 win against Parramatta which took the Vodafone Junior Warriors into the grand final. Hingano was in the extended squad for the title decider but didn't play with Tuimoala Lolohea coming back into the halves.
In all Hingano scored 67 points for the Vodafone Junior Warriors this year.
He's now back in training for his second NYC campaign and is eligible to play in the grade again in 2016 and 2017.
