The Rhiannon Byers Cup for Central North Rugby Union’s best and fairest women’s tens player was shared in 2024 as Esta Kalatzis and Holly Ford were named joint winners at Dangar Park on Saturday.
The duo have been standouts for their sides all year and they were both instrumental in helping their teams get to the grand final, which Kalatzis’ Narrabri won 29-12 against Ford’s Gunnedah.
The best and fairest cup prize was a double win for Narrabri though, given Ford is a Blue Boars junior who played in the Narrabri under-18s side in 2024 but signed up for Gunnedah’s senior team for her debut campaign.
Ford’s impressive 2024 season also included dominance in the junior rep arena as she competed at her fourth Junior Country Championships, at which she vice-captained the Central North under-18s girls’ side to grand final glory and was named the best forward of the tournament. She was also named in the NSW Country under-18s team.
Ford impressed in both attack and defence in Saturday’s decider, scoring the Red Devils’ first try of the contest and making plenty of crucial tackles as well.
The centre/winger was disappointed with the loss but was still proud of her teammates’ efforts and her individual honour.
“It was a great year and we all worked together as a team,” Ford said.
“There were ups and downs but we improved each game and I think we definitely deserved to be in this grand final because of how hard we worked.
“It was a tough game. We knew what we wanted to do, and we went all out at the start. I think that wasted all of our energy though, and we shouldn’t have done that.
“It means a lot to me to win this award. Losing the grand final is not that good of a feeling but winning that lifted my spirits and made me think of the other times I have done well.”
While Ford has just begun her senior rugby journey, the 2024 campaign has seen Kalatzis call time on her career.
The champion second-rower made her Blue Boars debut last year and she helped transform a grand final-losing side into a back-to-back minor/major premiership double-winning team.
Kalatzis made her rugby debut back in 2014 with the Sunnybank Dragons in Brisbane and departed that club as a three-time premiership-winner.
The 2023 season was her first since 2018 as she took a break from the sport after having two children, and she said she has cherished her time as a Blue Boar during the past two years.
“This means a lot to me,” Kalatzis said of the best and fairest cup after her side’s premiership victory.
“I love my footy and I love playing the sport.
“The girls really dug in deep today and I’m just so happy for us all. It was tough out there. Gunnedah girls always bring a tough game and it was hot too. I struggled but I loved every second of it.
“I moved here from Brisbane and joining the rugby club was a great way to get involved with the community. I love the Blue Boars and love the girls.
“I’m going to hang up the boots so this is going to be my last year playing, but I’m going to come back here and support as much as I can. Ill be in the grandstand over there drinking beers and cheering the girls on.”
Kalatzis was pleased to share the Rhiannon Byers Cup with Ford.
“Holly Ford is an absolute weapon and I’m glad to share this award with her,” the champion Blue Boar said.
“She’s an up and comer in the sport and I’m looking forward to watching her more throughout the years.”
To order photos from this page click here
