Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves Named Recipient of 2023 S. Marcus Calloway Community Impact Award Presented by Fastenal
Published on July 8, 2023 under Major League Rugby (MLR) News Release
Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves
(Seattle Seawolves)
CHICAGO - Major League Rugby (MLR) today announced Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves as the recipient of the S. Marcus Calloway Community Impact Award presented by Fastenal. At halftime of the MLR Championship Final today in Chicago, Kriel was presented with a commemorative trophy and a $10,000 donation to "Happy Bundles," a nonprofit originally founded in South Africa and brought to the U.S. by Kriel and his wife Candice, with the mission of bringing a smile to children battling cancer.
Named after the late S. Marcus Calloway, the founder of Rugby ATL and prominent rugby and MLR advocate who passed away in December of 2021, the award is given to the player who shows passion, excellence, and integrity on and off the field, inspires others to action, shows strength in character, aids those less fortunate, and embraces the core values of rugby, while displaying solidarity, discipline, and respect.
"Daniel Kriel exemplifies the qualities we seek in honoring the late S. Marcus Calloway, and we are proud to award Daniel with this esteemed recognition" said MLR CEO Nic Benson. "Daniel's commitment to his community, and his natural impulse to inspire others on and off the field is a true testament to his character and a representation of the values we aspire to in our growing league."
Born to a strong rugby family in Cape Town, South Africa, Kriel founded his nonprofit, Happy Bundles, after his wife Candice was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2020. Through their hardship as a family, they decided to create awareness around childhood cancer. After moving to Seattle with their two children, the Kriel's registered and launched Happy Bundles in America.
"During my wife's treatment and fight against cancer, I could not believe how many young children were receiving chemotherapy and radiation at such young ages," said Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves. "There is no greater joy than putting a smile on their faces and seeing them, their family, and friends light up with true joy and excitement when they receive their gifts."
From leading coaching events with the local Seattle Boys and Girls Club to dedicating time to other community outreach programs offered by the Seawolves, Kriel is always known to be the first to volunteer for events in the community. Outside of his own efforts, Kriel is regarded as a teammate who brings the team closer, always striving to get others involved in projects to better those less fortunate around him. At Happy Bundles' end-of-the-season event, Kriel rallied over 50 participants and raised over $22,000 for children fighting cancer.
Each Major League Rugby team nominated one player for the award, where a committee made up of MLR CEO Nic Benson, Deputy Commissioner Bill Goren, a Fastenal representative, and Marcus' widow Clea Calloway, selected Kriel from the 12 nominees.
Images from this story
 Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves |
Major League Rugby Stories from July 8, 2023
- Late Malan Try Hands New England Inaugural Mlr Crown - New England Free Jacks
- New England Free Jacks Win Major League Rugby Championship Final in Chicago - MLR
- Daniel Kriel of the Seattle Seawolves Named Recipient of 2023 S. Marcus Calloway Community Impact Award Presented by Fastenal - MLR
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
