SCOTTY NORTON

  • Nickname:             Scotty
  • Position:                Half Back / 1st Five
  • SENIORS:              1998 - 2002 / 2006 - 2015
  • SENIOR Caps:       201​​​​​​​
  • 1998 - 2000 SC Heartland Squad
  • ​​​​​​​2008 - 2013 SC Heartland Squad
  • 2010 First Harlequins Senior player to reach 1000 points  vs TKA on 10.04.2010
  • 2011 NZ Heartland XV
  • 2015 200th THRFC Senior Game 11.07.2015
  • 2015 THRFC Sportsperson


South Canterbury rugby captain Scott Norton has been named the province's Player of the Year 2011.

Norton beat five other players in a tight race, with the trophy decided on the last game of the season by the South Canterbury Supporters Club.

Organiser Len King said it was the closest it had ever been, with only two points separating six players. "It is judged by members of the club at each game on a 3, 2, 1 basis."

Norton took the trophy with eight points, one ahead of loan second-five Sam Beard; forwards Eric Smith, Matt Fetu, Kali Latu and Foi Saena each scored six.

Smith also finished the season on 98 games, only two short of the exclusive 100 club.

Norton, who also captained the team this season, impressed with all-round skills, spending time at both halfback and first-five. He was also the team's goal kicker, notching up 131 points, including a try.

Norton's award was presented last night at at the union's rugby awards at the Caroline Bay Hall.

Norton, Trevathan and Fetu's biggest thrill was, however, their selection for the New Zealand Heartland XV.

For Norton, the night carried on as a big one, also taking the senior club Player of the Year Award.

He overcame stiff competition from Latu, Trevathan, Aaron McCall, Timothy Penitani, Hamish Westgarth, Tristram Johnston and Miles Medlicott to take the award.

Norton was also the competition's top points scorer with 178. Latu scored the most tries with 14. He also won the Dave Parson Memorial Trophy for an outstanding contribution by a representative player.

Norton said despite so many responsibilities, the job of leading the team was made easier by his fellow players.

"It's been a pretty good season. There's been great team spirit and there are plenty of senior guys in the team so it makes my job pretty easy.

"We've played plenty of good rugby, and scored plenty of tries. I had some added responsibility, but that's all part of it. If I'm in the No9 [jersey] or the No10 it doesn't change much because I'm usually pretty chatty out there [on the field]."

Norton said he hoped the improved attacking abilities of the South Canterbury team would continue next season.

PGG Wrightson 'Senior Club Player of the Year': Scott Norton

Top points scorer: Scott Norton (Harlequins) 178

Supporters Club Player of the Year: Scott Norton

2011 NZ Heartland XV:
FORWARDS
Shaun McDonough Wanganui
Cole Baldwin Wanganui
Ngarimu Simpkins East Coast
Matt Fetu South Canterbury
Jason Rickard Mid Canterbury
Eric Duff North Otago
Jon Smyth Wanganui
Aarin Dunster King Country
Lee Nelmes Buller
Sione Ngatu Poverty Bay
John Dampney Mid Canterbury
Darren Munro Wanganui

BACKS
Andrew Stephens Buller
Scott Norton South Canterbury
Zeb Aporo Wairarapa Bush
Steelie Koro Wanganui
Faaitu Tuamoheloa North Otago
Rusiate Vukula Wanganui
Sam Scown Wanganui
Simon Dibben Wanganui
Jared Trevathan South Canterbury
Nick Olson Wairarapa bush