Honda Volunteer of the Year Winners Announced
Honda Volunteer of the Year winners were announced at an awards ceremony.
The Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme gives grassroots rugby clubs a unique opportunity to recognise the volunteers across the country who make up an integral part of the game.
With Honda coming on board as a partner at the start of last season, the first Honda Volunteer of the Year awards were held last week, providing the opportunity to recognise the volunteers who have made a great contribution to their club and community, and celebrate all their achievements.
The year’s Volunteer of the Year awards recognise the inspiring achievements of the volunteers through three categories; Unsung Hero, Beyond Rugby: Connecting the Community & Game for All.
Over 1,200 entries were received for this year’s awards, with nominees being recognised at local level, before regional winners were then put forward for the national awards, which saw 47 nominees recognised at an awards ceremony at Twickenham Stadium last week.
The Winners of this year’s awards are:
Unsung Hero: Jodie Hill, Lincoln RFC
Jodie has worn several hats over the last 12 months to ensure the club is fit for the future, from women’s team manager through to bar manager and now Chair. Jodie has used her business knowledge and professional skills, along with her personable manner and willingness to help, to steer the club towards a bright future. Her understanding of what it means to come to a rugby club having not played before has helped to recruit 40 new players.
,%20Jodie%20Hill%20(Winner),%20Rob%20Briers%20(RFU%20Vice%20President).jpg)
Game for All: Will Gilgrass, Old Streetonians RFC
Will has been a champion for inclusivity within the club; developing and embedding a new inclusion & diversity policy, developing a bursary scheme to enable 18–23-year-olds from the local community to access equipment & get involved in the game through to instigating the Club’s mental health and wellbeing scheme. In addition to this, he has designed a new playing kit, which has been endorsed by International Gay Rugby, who now recognise the Club as one of just 5 ally clubs.
,%20Will%20Gilgrass%20(Winner),%20Rob%20Briers%20(RFU%20Vice%20President).jpg)
Beyond Rugby: Arthur Crabtree, Didsbury Toc RFC
Following the pandemic Arthur has spent his time engaging with the community and helping the club strive through difficult times. He has been instrumental in various fundraisers, coaching for underprivileged children, volunteering at the local soup kitchen and organising the clean-up of the club facilities after severe flooding, including a crowdfunding appeal, which raised over £20k and is being used as an investment in the clubs' facilities, juniors and women’s rugby section.
,%20Arthur%20Crabtree%20(Winner),%20Rob%20Briers%20(RFU%20Vice%20President).jpg)
RFU Vice President, Rob Briers, said: “I am delighted that we are able to recognise our volunteers at the Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards. The event provides us with an excellent opportunity to thank them for all that they have done. Those attending represent a wider army of volunteers nationwide, the very best of our sport, who exemplify our core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.”
Honda UK president, Jean-Marc Streng added: “At Honda we strive to improve people’s lives through the Power of Dreams, and that same challenging spirit can be found in abundance at rugby clubs up and down the country. We see many parallels between our brand values and those of the individuals that are celebrated as part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme. We are proud to recognise the enormous efforts of the volunteers that make Rugby such a special sport to be a part of.”
