Rugby Black List Awards at the House of Lords
The Rugby Black List wants to shine a light on black professionals and volunteers working, playing and volunteering in rugby union. Their launch event and first-ever awards recently took place at The House of Lords with more than 150 guests celebrating the black rugby community’s achievements.
Seven award categories, from Rising Star to Life in Sport, aimed to inspire the next generation of leaders whether in the community game, talent pathways, or the elite game.
The hope is that celebrating the progress that has been made and recognising the achievements of black role models will ensure that many more follow in their footsteps.
The Rugby Black List was the brainchild of Sagan Daniels, following a conversation with Leon Mann co-founder of the Football Black List.
Sagan said: “This awards event highlights the involvement of black people in rugby, publicly acknowledging and celebrating their contributions and is a chance to build networks within the black community and beyond, inspiring the younger generation. The plan is to continue to highlight and celebrate black role models so that others, including young people, can see it to be it.”
A Steering Group was formed to create The Rugby Black List and awards and includes Sagan, Ralph Knibbs, Garnet Mackinder, Simon McIntyre, James Bailey and Leon Mann, with project management support from the RFU’s Marissa Lowe.
Among those at the awards ceremony were Peers from the House of Lords, community club leaders, national and international rugby representatives and players, governing bodies, major UK media outlets and other black inclusion leaders and stakeholders.
The event was supported by the RFU, Refresh Sports, Barrington Hibbert Associates, Sporting Equals, Kori Youth Charity and Roc Nation Sports International.
Said Tom Ilube, RFU Chair: “The RFU is really supportive of the aims and ambitions of The Rugby Black List and pleased to be assisting with the group’s initial awards evening to celebrate the great work of black people involved in the game at all levels.
“We have acknowledged that there is a lot to do in truly making the sport representative of the society in which we live. A huge amount of work has been undertaken in the past few years and having others with the ambition to achieve the same aims is hugely beneficial."
Sue Day, RFU COO and CFO said: “Inclusion and diversity in our sport is really important to us as the governing body for rugby union. Events such as this, celebrating the incredible contribution of individuals at every level of the game, help to inspire others from the black community to get involved. We’re proud to play a part in this inaugural awards event and look forward to many more in the future.”
Award winners
Performance Coach
Tyson Lewis started his rugby career in Essex, before playing for Blackheath and Plymouth Albion. He joined Doncaster Knights in 2012, becoming the club’s leading try-scorer of the professional age. In 2021, Tyson became Academy Director at Doncaster Knights while honing his coaching skills with the first team, overseeing the club’s best young talent and ensuring the player pathway is accessible for every rugby player at Castle Park
Runners Up: Warren Abrahams and Joe Shaw
Community Coach
Mark Cadogan, Head of Community at Harlequins is working to grow the Quins and overall rugby fan base, and coaching across the community and performance side of the club, from their women’s Premier15s as an Assistant Coach, to the Centre of Excellence. Currently Women’s Coach at Richmond FC, he is a Captain in the British Army and a Combined Services player, who is outspoken on inclusivity and the need to embrace all differences.
Runners Up: Charles Baffour and Roxy Fearon
Community Leader
Hughton Campbell has been described as a force of nature, building opportunities for players in either rugby union or league as Jamaican Rugby team manager, Hughton and his team, have scoured the nation looking for Jamaican heritage players for representative rugby which saw Jamaica gain a place at the Commonwealth Games and Hong Kong 7s, HSBC 7s World Series and Rugby World Cup for 7s.
Life In Sport (7 winners)
Collin Osbourne, born in St. Kitts, West Indies, Collin emigrated to Birmingham aged six. He played rugby at school, club and divisional level and as a Physical Education graduate transitioned into life as a professional coach and roles including Technical Director, Ghana Rugby; Director of Coaching, Zimbabwe Rugby Union and the first black coach to win the Premiership with Harlequins. He is currently Head Coach at Wimbledon RFC.
Floyd Steadman made history when, aged 23, he named as the first black top-flight rugby captain, for Saracens. He played a leading role in the club’s progress before becoming an inspiring teacher and headmaster, having a positive impact on many young lives and visiting schools to talk and educate about unconscious bias. Floyd received an OBE for services to rugby union, education and charity.
Jason Robinson, a legend in both rugby codes, he played in three world cup finals, and scored England’s only try in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia. His league career totalled 281 games, and 171 tries. He represented England, Great Britain and the British Lions before playing 159 games for Sale Sharks, scoring 248 points. With five British and Irish Lions caps, an MBE rewarded his 2003 World Cup and he was awarded the OBE for services to rugby. Jason looks after active community programmes helping the wellbeing of young people in socio-economically deprived areas.
Laura Kapo made nearly 400 match appearances for Richmond FC, becoming the voice of honesty and advocacy for the women's game, while battling and overcoming significant personal adversity. Laura is a true example of perseverance, resilience, and determination. Providing the administration backbone within the rugby environment, she now also sits on the RFU Independent Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Group
Maggie Alphonsi represented her country 74 times, scored 28 tries, won a World Cup and helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns. A continuing inspiration, in 2015 she became the first-ever former female player to commentate on men’s international rugby when signed up by ITV for the Rugby World Cup and works with ITV Sport, Sky Sports and the BBC, as well as writing for the Telegraph and sitting on the RFU Council.
Maxine Edwards won 45 caps in her 25-year rugby career, juggling work and parenting with a demanding training schedule. Having studied at the University of Greenwich and worked as a business analyst, she was qualifying as a teacher when named England captain and leading them out for the first-ever international women’s match at Twickenham Stadium. A veteran of three Rugby World Cups, she was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to rugby.
Paul Hull served in the RAF before becoming a Bristol Rugby legend and making 289 first team appearances. He was cappedfor England four times and toured South Africa with England in 1994, being introduced to President Nelson Mandela. He became the first British black person to be a Head Coach in the Premiership, followed by a role as Chief Scout and coaching the England Saxons. He is currently the RFU’s Head of Professional Game Match Officials.
Paula George was one of two non-white children in a Bridgend school of 1600. After playing netball for Wales, she become the face of English women’srugby, captaining both Wasps and England. An outstanding full back, and
England’s first black captain, she earned 75 caps, 30 as captain. The first woman on the cover of Rugby World magazine, she became a photographer and videographer, recently working on a project bringing together legends from the women’s game with their current day equivalents.
Future Leaders
Zainab Alema is a neonatal nurse who currently plays for Richmond and has the dream of being the first black Muslim woman to play for the Red Roses. She is doing some amazing work to show black, Muslim women that they can play the game. Zainab will carry on 'bulldozing' her way through the game - being different and standing out is no longer a negative for her as she uses her difference to make rugby truly diverse.
Beno Obano made his Bath Rugby Premiership debut in 2015. Playing loose head, with physical skills in abundance, Beno is fast becoming a set piece master operator and received his first England cap against Scotland in 2021. In 2020, Beno burst on to the documentary making field with his Directorial debut “Everyone's Game” – producer, Director, International Rugby player and Prop, Beno is bound by nothing.
Presented by – Sporting Equals (event sponsor) and Topsy Ojo, Broadcaster
Performance Players
Ellis Genge started his rugby career with Bristol Bears before moving to Leicester in 2016 and re-joining his old club again in 2022. He has been refreshingly vocal on his personal challenges on the way to being recognised as one of the very best looseheads in the world. Ellis was named in the World 15 team of the year in 2022, after successfully captaining Leicester to their first title triumph in nine years.
Runners Up: Maro Itoje and Joe Marchant
Shaunagh Brown only picked up a rugby ball seven years ago before pulling on the Red Roses shirt a year later. She announced her retirement recently, but her list of accolades include four Women's Six Nations titles, as well as the Premier 15s title with Quins and being part of the team to reach the Rugby World Cup final in New Zealand. Her career as a whole has shown young black girls that rugby can be for them.
Runners Up: Simi Pam and Tatyana Heard
Rising star
Sadia Kabeya
At just 20 years old, Sadia has risen through the pathway system to the performance pathway, winning eight caps and at last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand featuring regularly as part of the 23, while winning player of the match against Fiji. Sadia plays for Loughborough Lightning in the Allianz Premier 15s and has a bright future ahead.
Runners Up: Lennox Anyanwu and Max Ojomoh
