Old Brodleians volunteers’ Queen's Award
Volunteers' Week takes place from 1-7 June to thank volunteers across the UK, so this week we’re recognising ours...
Old Brodleians RUFC in Halifax has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award for local groups across the UK, to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.
Created in 2002 to celebrate the golden anniversary of The Queen's coronation, the award, the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups, cited the club as “providing rugby for all ages and delivering huge benefits to their community”.
Based at Woodhead Park in Hipperholme, Old Brodleians is one of Yorkshire’s largest grassroots rugby clubs with participation numbers currently at their highest in their 90 year history. Over recent years the Brods volunteers have won accolades for their partnerships with local charities and schools and their popular summer music festival, Brodstock, which has raised over £100,000 for local causes and become Yorkshire’s biggest annual benefit concert.
Proud President Richard Turner, whose voluntary service to the club spans almost 40 years, said, “We are so honoured to receive this award which acknowledges the efforts and commitment of a wonderful bunch of people.
“We have around 150 volunteers active at the club from coaches, team managers, first aiders, fund raisers, event organisers all the way through to those manning the car park, helping to keep the place tidy or running the scoreboard on matchdays. The strength of any grassroots club is its people and the Brods’ success is built on these volunteers.”
Martin Smith, Junior Section Chair, said: “Seeing so many people willing to give their time to the club and the benefit it provides to the children is fantastic. It’s rugby players of all ages and from all backgrounds who benefit from the great work of our volunteers.”
Robinson delighted for Brods
Rugby dad and World Cup winner Jason Robinson OBE has had four sons play at the Brods and commented: “I am delighted the Brods have been given this award. Grassroot sport is filled with brilliant people and I’m certainly grateful for everyone in the amateur game that helped me progress in my career.
“I think that people either forget or don’t realise that great local clubs like this are run solely by passionate volunteers that just want to make a difference. Brods volunteers have created a special environment here for players of all ages, with a real sense of community, and it’s great to see them on Sunday mornings inspiring my kids, and their team mates, to be the best they can be. Well done everyone!”
Harold and Margaret Smith, now in their eighties have supported the club as volunteers over the decades, with Harold joining the committee as Chairman and President. Said Harold: “Our son and four grandsons have played here and I first started playing for the Brods in 1954. One of my first jobs back then was to mark the pitch out for the matches. We still come up once a week to pick up any litter and I’m usually on car park duty when there are events on”.
90 years’ rugby history
Old Brodleians RUFC was formed in 1930 by former pupils at the nearby school. Pupils at Hipperholme Grammar School are known as Brodleians due to the historic link with local man Matthew Brodley who, in 1649, endowed funds in his will for the school to be built.
Girls and boys start playing rugby at Brods Tots classes. Age grade rugby runs from Under 6 and every year up to the Under 19s, with girls teams at Under 13, 15 and 18s. Brods has First, Second, Veterans and Ladies Teams. The First team currently play in the North East One League after winning promotion as Champions from Yorkshire One League. Numerous Brods’ junior players have progressed to represent their county and country. The most successful being Charlie Hodgson .
Brods in the community
Every two years the club names an official charity, supporting them through awareness and fundraising or both. Over the past six years these have included Yorkshire Air Ambulance, with £10,000 raised; Overgate Hospice, with £12,000 raised; and Andys Man Club, sharing mental health messages. The club also provides free use of their function room to the Make a Wish charity, as well as regular events for Overgate Hospice.
The club’s annual not-for-profit music festival has helped put the local community on the map. Over 6000 people attend Yorkshire’s biggest annual benefit concert, created by 100 of the club’s volunteers. Brodstock began in 2014 and has raised £75,000 for the local Overgate Hospice and £25,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Every performer is local and churches, charities and community groups get involved and take a free stall. There are free tickets for 75 of the closest households and a community litter pick takes place the following day. The event sells out every year and has won numerous awards.
