Burnley flying the flag
Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club are flying their newly awarded Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service flag.
And Burnley RUFC, part of the community based sports organisation, can raise a glass in the refurbished clubhouse while waiting to see when their players can run out to play again.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, the rugby club is gearing up for a brighter future as it opens to the public this weekend.
Nominated for the QAVS award by Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson, the sports club on the border of Burnley and Pendle, formed 63 years ago by amalgamating Calder Vale RUFC (now Burnley Rugby Club), Burnley Belvedere Football Club and Burnley Belvedere Cricket Club.
Providing a home for the three sports and different age groups, genders and ethnic groups, the club also hosts Pendleside Rotary and Burnley Soroptomists Clubs and various local health initiatives, as well as serving as a local Polling Station. An annual Christmas carol concert raises funds for Pendleside Hospice and Pendle Youth Orchestra and the rugby club’s annual dinner supported the Doddy Weir Foundation.
First team promotion
Calder Vale RUFC, formed in 1926 when they played their early fixtures at Fenny Fold in nearby Padiham, became Burnley RUFC in 2002. The newly-promoted first team are waiting to play their inaugural match in the ADM Premier Lancashire League, having until lockdown gone unbeaten. Tours have taken place across Europe, to China and the USA.
Burnley RUFC employs a community rugby coach who works with local schools and encourages youngsters to join the club’s thriving mini and junior section, where most volunteers have RFU coaching qualifications.
Burnley’s women’s team finished sixth in the National Challenge North West 1 League, having won the lower league the previous season when they reached the final of the National Plate Cup against Bath Ladies. There are also three girls’ teams at U13, U15 and U18.
Players and former players have represented England at age group level, among them Loughborough Lightning’s back row Anya Richmond, who played for England Women’s U20s, and Danny Rowlands who played for England Deaf.
Chairman of Burnley RUFC and former captain, Paddy Murphy says: “Our volunteers, parents and players made the QAVS award possible and every week they are outstanding coaches, managers, caterers and general supporters for their children and other players. Every one of them has contributed to the achievement of this highly prestigious award.
“The club is an important part of the community and as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis, we are planning to expand to include a men’s third team, a veterans’ team and a colts’ team.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent to a single person receiving the MBE. Representatives of Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club will receive the award from The Right Honorable, the Lord Shuttleworth KG KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire later this summer at County Hall, Preston. Two volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
