Tom Hooper is named the ACT Brumbies' best and fairest under 20s player

As the Brumbies presented their 2021 awards after a gym session due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Bathurst rugby union talent twice found himself having to come forward.

The talented lock who made his Super rugby debut against the Crusaders won both the Graham Gordan Memorial Trophy for the ACT best and fairest under 20s player and the Brumbies' Community Engagement award.

"The awards night was shut down so we just had a little meeting of 20 of us or so in the gym and Rod Seib our assistant coach announced it [under 20s award]. I was completely shocked," Hooper said.

"I didn't expect any awards this year, I was ready to rock up to awards night in a dodgy tux because I didn't think I was going to get up on stage at all.

"It was pretty cool to be awarded it, especially with four or five of us at Brumbies being under 20s and they are all good mates of mine, so I know any one of them could have been awarded it and probably deserved it as much as I did.

"It was a really shock to me, actually both awards were a massive shock.

"There was a big pool of talent, so I'm very grateful to come away with the choccies."

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As much as Hooper was delighted to pick up the best and fairest honour, for him being presented the community award by general manager Chris Tindall was even better.

He feels that sharing his passion for rugby with the public is an important part of his role with the Brumbies.

"He [Tindall] basically just said how our whole community staff just appreciated that I just got in there and helped out where I could, but that's all anyone does really," he said.

"I'm just glad they think I was helping out the community and putting in my part to help the next generation and grassroots rugby.

"I was probably more proud of that one to be honest because obviously as a footy player it's easy to get accolades on the field, but I think off the field is just as important.

"Especially as a professional rugby player now that's one thing I had to learn, how to interact with the community and make sure that one, we are seen in a positive light and two, that we really inspire people to come to the game and watch and also get girls and boys to start playing rugby.

"I think I'm a bit more chuffed with that one that any other rugby award I could get."

Now in the middle of a three-week block of what the Brumbies are calling "pre-pre-season training", Hooper and his team-mates will "iron out a few things" before they begin their preparation proper.

Hooper will carry with him the confidence that comes with those two awards.

"It was a little bit of a booster, it was just the cherry on top of a season where I gained so much," he said.

"Obviously with COVID there were a few disappointing things the 20s being cancelled and John Dent Cup being cancelled, but that's something positive I've got in my back pocket now and can hang onto."

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