University Rugby Rewards in Lockdown
The Students RFU University Rugby Awards have taken place during lockdown via a short film celebrating people and clubs making a real difference in university rugby.
With students at home and the season prematurely ended by coronavirus, there were more than 60 nominations of exceptional contributions covering the fantastic work being done by volunteers and staff across universities nationwide. From those came the difficult task of selecting five overall winners.
“The awards are a celebration of student rugby right across the country," said the Student Union’s Vice President and Trustee Phil Mooney. "From those who support and develop the elite talent to those who work away, often in the background, to ensure pitches are booked, training is organised and games are refereed.”
University Student Coach/Referee of the Year
This award went to Jonathan Hogg of Brunel University who, having retired from playing first XV rugby, completed his Level 2 coaching award and, as well as coaching teams, has promoted and helped with O2 Touch and coached and refereed young players in the local community. He intends to continue coaching in the Gloucestershire area in the future.
He said: “I thought I was done with rugby but staying involved through coaching has been fantastic.”
The Vaughan Parry Williams Award
For those who have made an outstanding contribution over a number of years, was given to Alex Keay of Durham University whose outstanding work at performance level since 2010 has seen his team reaching three BUCS finals at Twickenham, winning the BSR league and four BUCS 7s titles. He has also helped in developing a number of premiership players, while overseeing participation rugby at Durham with a programme which has grown from 36 to 45 men and women’s college and university teams.
Said Alex: “I always feel you get awards like this when you are ready to retire but I’m not ready because I love my job too much. “
He thanked the coaching and support staff at Durham and the Durham students, adding: “The beauty of student rugby is players are keen to listen, learn and challenge in the right way. During my time involved student rugby has changed exponentially but hasn’t lost any of the enjoyment and lasting friendships.”
Volunteer of the Year
This went to Niamh Mitchell of London South Bank Students' Union who has been involved with driving the success of their men’s and women’s teams and forging links with Old Alleynians rugby club. She has also worked with other universities on women’s rugby and across her own university on promoting and driving sports participation.
Said Niamh: “When I was in my first year I found the rugby club a real support and thought it was important to provide that for other students. I’m very grateful to the Student Union, my university and Old Alleynians.”
Core Values Club of the Year
Awarded to Sheffield University Ladies Rugby Football Club who epitomise rugby’s values on and off the pitch. The club’s first team won promotion from the BUCS Women’s Northern Tier 1 into the BUCS Women’s Nationals and their second team were runners up in the BUCS Women’s Northern Tier 4. They have created an inclusive and welcoming environment and used campaigns like Inner Warrior to attract new players, gaining a further 16 female students from their February 2020 Inner Warrior camp to add to their 77 members. Social touch rugby and the hosting an Open Women’s Development Festival allowed new players to learn the basics of rugby in a safe and enjoyable way. A club TikTok account and a meet the first years video brought new interest, together with working with other local universities’ sports clubs on charitable events. They held their ‘old girls weekend’ at Sheffield Ladies Rugby Club collaborating with the hosts’ women’s rugby club and included a Vintage Varsity fixture made possible through the introduction of RFU GameFinders in the club committee structure and through the social media network which assists with player transition into community rugby. Regular social events encourage a supportive, whole club approach, while a new development team has added a layer to their player pathway.
University Staff Member of the Year
This went to Tim Stevens, Oxford University RFC Manager for the past 18 years. He was rewarded for his relentless energy and cheerfulness in engaging with all the club’s stakeholders. He has been “the glue that holds the club together” managing three men's and two women's teams, arranging fixtures and even laundering kit. This season’s 150th anniversary of the club celebrations added to his already significant responsibilities. Tim, affectionately known as Fez, has been a driving force at OURFC since 2002.
