New Zealand’s Kayla McAlister is the Women’s Sevens Player of Year

from IRB.com:

On a glittering night for New Zealand rugby, the International Rugby Board announced New Zealand’s Kayla McAlister as IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.

McAlister saw off the challenge of Canada’s Jennifer Kish and Netherlands’ Kelly van Harskamp to become the first player to win the award.

“It’s an honour and priviledge to win this award and I accept it on behalf of all of my teammates. We’ve had an amazing season and to cap it off together with the World Cup has been unbelievable,” said McAlister.

Sister of All Black Luke, McAlister had played 16 years of netball before taking to rugby recently as part of the NZRU’s Go4Gold scouting campaign.

Her creativity and pace was a key factor in New Zealand’s golden season, in which they won both the first ever IRB Women’s Sevens World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

She joined Tim Mikkelson in accepting an IRB Award on the night, after he was crowned IRB Sevens Player of the Year, in association with HSBC.

AUDIO: KAYLA MCALISTER INTERVIEW >>

IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
2013 Kayla McAlister