Olney’s Outstanding Volunteers Earn Queen’s Award
Olney RFC has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.
The Queen’s Award, created in 2002 to celebrate the golden anniversary of The Queen's coronation, is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups. Belvedre and Calder Sports Club - which includes Burnley RUFC - were also among the recipients, having been nominated by Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson.
Previous winners include Blyth RFC - the Northumberland club recognised in 2012 for its contribution to youth rugby.
The award noted of Olney: “The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the Independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE”
It added: “This represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation and we hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, will feel immensely proud of it.”
They are indeed proud. Club President, Tom Salsbury, said: “We are very honoured to receive this award which pays tribute to the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers.
“We have over 150 volunteers active in the club: coaches, first aiders, BBQ teams, bar teams, committees, right through to those who quietly clear up the patio and empty the bins after each busy weekend. Without each and every one of them there would be no club. Once we can reopen, we’ll have a get together with as many of our volunteers as possible to celebrate the award and say a big thank you.”
Volunteers at Buckingham Palace
Olney will receive the award from Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, after the current Covid-19 restrictions. Two club volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.
Dan Cooke, Chair of the Mini & Junior Section, said: “It is the rugby players of all ages who benefit from the great work of our volunteers. As a coach and a parent, seeing so many people willing to give their time to the club and the benefit it provides to the children is fantastic.”
Established in 1877, Olney RFC grew from games played on meadowland with a hay-filled sprig bag into a large community club with fantastic facilities, which was awarded Bucks and MK Sports Club of the Year in 2017.
Among their former players is England’s Edgar Mobbs, one of 27 England internationals who gave their lives in World War I. Their junior section won the National Rugby Award for Youth and Mini Section of the Year in 2016 and many youngsters go on to play senior rugby at the club, as well as a number to clubs like Bedford, Saracens, Coventry and Northampton Saints.
The ladies team in the past won the National Cup, and has players progressing to the England U20 and England Students sides, including Bristol’s Lucy Attwood who recently made her debut for England Women. The club regularly fields three senior sides, Ladies, Vets and a strong Colts side.
Praise from all
The nomination was made via the QAVS website in August 2019 when Andrew Mather, parent of Tomos and Owen, who have both played age grade rugby at Olney wrote:
“..The club’s deep rooted culture of volunteering and friendship is in their DNA. When you enter the club you do not need to be told this; you sense it. These traits engender a spirit of community, help and support. It has and continues to create both a legacy and an underlying set of values that secures its place in the heart of our community…”
There were letters of support from Fran Sweeney, whose son Lloyd now plays for the 1st Team, and Tim Holmes, Bucks RDO.
Fran wrote: “The club is run and maintained by a large number of willing volunteers who give up their free time to fulfill all the roles needed for a club of this size to remain successful with many positions being filled by second and third generations of the same family.”
Said former player Duncan Taylor, of Saracens and Scotland: “Knowing first-hand, from playing many years of youth rugby there, it is the generosity of all who help run the club that make it the great place it is. Well done!”
Centre of town
The club’s significant impact on the local community, with its clubhouse and five pitches in the centre of the town, means junior and adult playing numbers continue to increase. Everyone is welcome to play, watch and socialise at the club which prides itself on its amateur status and has one of the biggest mini and junior sections in the area with 470 age grade players, 90+ seniors, 25+ ladies, 20+ girls in their U13 and U15s and 80+ past players.
Charitable work within the community includes raising £5,000 for Breast Cancer and £1,000 for the British Legion, the latter helped by hosting a game v the Army. During the coronavirus pandemic they donated all their soft drinks and snacks to the Thames Valley Police and Bucks Fire & Rescue, as well as raising over £2,000 for NHS Charities Together.
Thanks to their more than 150 active volunteers anyone can play and enjoy rugby at Olney, as well as joining year round events like barbecues, sevens tournaments, mini and junior festivals, music festivals, past player reunions, dinners, awards and social and fundraising events.
Olney RFC is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Nominations have increased year on year showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and making life better for those around them.
