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EAST GRINSTEAD RFC / Supplied
Matt Ratana was posthumously named winner of the Unsung Hero Award on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year program.
Matt Ratana, a slain New Zealand police officer, has been posthumously named the winner of the Unsung Hero award on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year program.
Ratana, who was originally from Hawke’s Bay, was shot and killed in a South London custody center on September 25, at age 54, while working for the Metropolitan Police.
He was nominated for the award by East Grinstead Rugby Club, where he was the coach at the time of his death.
BBC
Matt Ratana’s partner, Su Bushby, says his legacy of love for rugby will endure.
His partner, Su Bushby, accepted the award on his behalf at the ceremony in Salford on Monday (New Zealand time).
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“I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for Matt,” he said. “He would have been humiliated by this.
“Matt was a very special man, definitely one of a kind, he touched the lives of many people. Through his vigilance, gym, friends and passion for the great game of rugby, he illuminated every room and every field with his presence, enthusiasm and smile.
“I am honored to be here to accept this award tonight. Matt is, and always will be, my hero. “
Ratana attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School and the University of Otago, then in 1989 he moved to England to play rugby for the London Irish.
He came to East Grinstead about four years ago, managing the Colts team before becoming the head coach.
Gareth Fuller / Getty Images
Former All Black Zinzan Brooke delivered a haka with members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori club after Matt Ratana’s funeral.
But with the massive departures of players and managers around the time he started there, he led a renaissance at the club, and his direct efforts with youth, women’s and men’s teams saw the numbers quadruple.
Ratana was one of 15 finalists for the Unsung Hero Award and judges were told that he always arrived early for training, delivered a meticulously planned session, and then headed to work for a night shift with the police, where he had downtime. he sent messages. and player videos offering training tips and feedback.
Meanwhile, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton took the top prize at the event, after equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles with his fourth consecutive championship in 2020.
It’s the second time Hamilton has won the award, and he also claimed it in 2014.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson finished second in the public vote, while jockey Hollie Doyle was third. Boxer Tyson Fury, cricketer Stuart Broad and billiard great Ronnie O’Sullivan were the other shortlisted.
