Black List Awards Coming to Twickenham
Vote for your Men's and Women’s Performance Players
With the RFU’s determination for rugby to reflect modern society, an event being hosted at The Home of England Rugby will recognise inspirational people and celebrate the black rugby community at the Rugby Black List Awards.
The second Rugby Black List Awards will be held on 30 April at Twickenham Stadium, following the inaugural event at the Palace of Westminster last year, where nominees and winners including Ellis Genge, Shaunagh Brown and Beno Obano as well as a host of community leaders from across the game attended the event.
This year’s awards evening will again celebrate the contribution of the black rugby community to rugby and recognise their achievements across England.
Rugby Black List wants to shine a light on black professionals and volunteers working, playing and participating in rugby. This includes decision makers from the community game, leaders within talent pathways, volunteers and elite game representatives.
Performance Players of the Year
Recognition at the awards will include Community Coach and Community Leader and, for the first time there is the opportunity to take part in a public vote for Men’s and Women’s Performance Player of the Year.
The nominees for the public vote are:
Men's Performance Player
- Andy Christie, Saracens
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Exeter Chiefs
- Ollie Lawrence, Bath
Women’s Performance Player
- Babalwa Latsha, Harlequins
- Deborah Wills, Bristol Bears
- Rownita Marston-Mulhearn, Bristol Bears
Voting closes on 9 April and the winners announced on 30 April at the Awards event.
Rugby Black List founder, Sagan Daniels, said: “It’s important for Rugby Black List to consolidate and capitalise on last year’s successful inauguration. There was such a groundswell of interest and gratitude for what we achieved.
"We have welcomed some new faces to the core team, outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact on our events, shaping our message and planning the future. I’m so proud and grateful that they have joined us.
“It is undeniable there is still a lack of representation of the black community within rugby union at every level. However, it is important to celebrate the progress made by recognising the achievements of black role models, in order to redress this imbalance.”
Garnet Mackinder, one of the Rugby Black List Directors said: “We’re very excited for the second year of the Rugby Black List awards. Although we’re looking to grow and recognise a wider group of black people within rugby, the beauty of last year was the less formal and fun nature of the event which we’re looking to keep. It’s also a great opportunity to network and get to know people with similar experiences in rugby. I’m looking forward to meeting and celebrating some new faces.”
To find out more, visit Rugby Black List's website.
