Famous Mormons in Rugby
Church proud as rugby players say 'no'
Photo www.goldcoast.com.au
Members of the Helensvale Rugby Union Team that are Mormon cant play in the weekend semi-final due to their religious belief www.goldcoast.com.au
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Fraser Anderson |
Fraser Anderson attended The Church College of New Zealand and was in the A1 Basketball team and was also Student Body Boy President in his 7th form year. Fraser Anderson made his first grade debut for the Brisbane Broncos in Round 14 vs South Sydney at Telstra Stadium. He has been a regular in the run-on side for the Cronulla Sharks in the centres. After quitting the New Zealand Warriors development squad in 2003 to become a Mormon missionary in the Philippines , the product of Auckland’s East Coast Bays club gained another chance at the big time. |
Player Stats |
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Shakeh Crowfoot (BYU) |
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Israel Folau |
Israel is a powerful centre or
winger who joins the top squad for season 2007. At the tender
age of 17, Israel has a junior football resume to be envied. A
member of Brisbane Norths Colts premiership team and a
Queensland age representative at 15 and 17, Israel became the
first player to represent Queensland under-19's while still only
16 years of age. Israel has since gone on to be named in the
Australian Schoolboys squad to tour England and France at the
end of 2006.
www.melbournestorm.com.au Unlike childhood mates Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu, the devout Mormon "looks almost embarrassed" - according to Bellamy - when he scores a try. "My parents always taught me to be humble - and that goes whether you do something good or bad," Folau says.
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 www.saltlakespeaks.com |
Larry Gelwix |
Larry Gelwix, CEO Columbus Travel, and coach of the Highland High Rugby
Team. The Highland High School Club Rugby team of
Salt Lake City have won the National Rugby Championships almost
every year since its inception. Highland High dominates High School
Rugby in the US. They are currently the 2007 reigning National
Champions. He even had a movie made about him. Brother Gelwix considers athletic ability to be a gift from God, and uses the parable of the talents from the Bible to explain to the players what they should do with their gift. By using the gift wisely, as they did in Africa, he has seen the players regularly multiply their rewards in all facets of their lives. church News Their team Goal: "To do our best" in rugby, life |
Forever Strong
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| Jared Going |
He has represented the successful New Zealand Sevens since 1999, winning four IRB Sevens titles as well as the World Cup in Argentina in 2001. He is the son of legendary All Black Sid Going. |
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Sid Going |
"The greatest match winner Rugby has known, Sid Going, M.B.E. halfback
extraordinary. Fellow All Black Grant Batty said of him in 1977. He was
and still is the greatest Rugby player in the world. " Super Sid, "
The Story Of A Great All Black, was written by Bob
Howitt
Sid Going, the great All Black half back was born on August 19 1943 in Kawakawa New Zealand. He was a Maori rugby player, who his fans called Super Sid, and one of three brothers, all of whom were All Blacks. Sid served a mission in Canada. Going was honored with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1978 for his contributions to Rugby, and continued to be involved with the game after retiring that same year. He coached Northland secondary school teams from 1988 to 1992, and was selector-coach of the provincial side from 1993 to 1996. |
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CEO Football, Rugby, and Soccer |
Guy Hedderwick | He has been the CEO of 3 HUGE sports clubs in South Africa - Border Rugby, a provincial rugby team, Hellenic Football club, a professional soccer team, and Black Leopards, another professional soccer team – the 3rd biggest in the country. He then came here to New Zealand and became CEO of New Zealand’s only professional soccer team, the New Zealand Knights Football Club. | |
 www.broncos.com.au |
Ben Hannant | Hannant came back to the Broncos in 2006 on the promise of a chance and took it when it was given to him. The devout Mormon, who became a father last year, earned his spot with powerhouse bursts from the bench, and finished the season with a premiership ring. Further entrenching himself in the top 17 and perhaps even getting a starter's jersey are Ben's goals for this season. If willingness to work is any indication - Hannant completes a 3am shift at Rocklea Markets every day before training - he will succeed. www.broncos.com.au | |
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Kimball Kjar (BYU) |
Served a church mission in Brisbane, Australia - Mandarin Chinese speaking, 1997-99. He played his first cap with the U.S. Eagles against Argentina in the PARA Championship Series in Toronto. Kimball is only the second Eagle from BYU, the first being the BYU assistant coach Mark Ormsby. | Interview: Kimball Kjar |
 www.nzherald.co.nz
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Krisnan Inu |
ONE of the game's brightest young
stars, Krisnan Inu, has aborted plans for a two-year overseas
religious mission and will continue his career in the National
Rugby League. The young winger, a devout Mormon, believes he can accomplish more for the church as a role model for younger followers if he remains in the game. His decision followed a lengthy talk with his parents, who agreed the Parramatta star was more valuable to the church in the limelight than doing missionary work.
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Service with a smile |
 Photo: Xtra |
Todd Miller fullback |
He played four games for New
Zealand in 1997. That year he scored 13 tries in 16 games -
including three tries in his second game for the All Blacks. A
nephew of rugby greats Ken, Sid and Brian Going, his younger
brother Brad Miller currently plays for North Harbour. Todd
Miller has twice played in successful Waikato Ranfurly Shield
challenging teams - in 1993 and 1997.
Served full-time in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. Todd Miller is a talented attacking fullback but his progress
has been hindered by his Mormon beliefs which prevent him
playing on Sundays”
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Bo Paraha |
Ex Sydney University backrower who has good skills and does a lot of work that goes unnoticed. Predominantly a number 8, Bo's versatility has seen him play all back row positions for the Breakers. | |
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Rebecca Pendlebury (University of British Columbia) |
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| Sam Perrett | NRL star | ||
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Alatini Saulala center US National Rugby Team |
Served in the
bishopric of the Tongan Ward, Seaside California Stake.
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Rugby World Cup, 1999, Team USA, player biographies, Sports Illustrated |
 www.americanrugbynews.com
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Salesi
Sika Pro in France
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He played on the BYU rugby team, he was NCAA player of the year, is on the US national team, was an all American, and now plays pro in France. | Engineered to Excel |
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Sefa Vaka |
Sefa served his mission in Tonga then went to Japan to play rugby he plays for the Ikale Tahi rugby team. He returned to Tonga to represent his country in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He is active in the church.
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