SBW scoops a top sporting award

Sonny Bill William's selfless act giving away his Rugby World Cup winners medal to a young fan who was tackled by a security guard has been recognised. Photo / Getty

As a result of giving his Rugby World Cup medal away to a young boy, Sonny Bill Williams has been handed the 2015 Panathlon International Fair Play Award to recognise his kind gesture.

The award is handed once a year to a player that has committed an act of fair play by "complying with both the written and unwritten rules of sport".

Sonny Bill Williams gave away his Rugby World Cup winner medal to Charlie Lines, who was "smoked" in a tackle from a security guard after running on the field following the All Black's 34-17 win over Australia. He then returned the boy to his family.

The judges described it as "the most fair play act of 2015".

"It really means a lot. For myself it wasn't about being a rugby union player, it was just about being a good person and that's how I was raised - to have good manners," explained Williams after receiving the award.

"I'd seen a child that was a little bit hurt it touched me on the inside. I just did what I thought was right."

Williams still keeps in contact with Charlie and is set to catch up with him again during the London leg of the World Sevens Series.