The Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme provides grassroots rugby clubs, Constituent Bodies and the rugby community with opportunities to recognise and reward the volunteers who make up an integral part of the game.
There are over 100,000 volunteers who give back to grassroots rugby, week in, week out. From the kit washers to the line painters and the bus drivers to the tea makers, the game that we all know and love wouldn’t be the same without the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Say thank you to the volunteers at your club or organisation who deserve to be rewarded for their efforts by nominating them for the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme.
The Honda Volunteer Recognition programme provides a platform to recognise all volunteers who have made a great contribution to their club and community – no matter their role. On or off the pitch, behind the scenes or on the committee.
With the support of Honda, the volunteer recognition programme provides a number of exciting opportunities, including a coaching experience with one of England’s coaching team, opportunities to watch the England teams train and the Volunteer of the Year awards.
Volunteer Recognition Opportunities
Volunteers are one of the most valuable assets of a rugby organisation. They offer time, effort and expertise and deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work. By entering a volunteer at your grassroots rugby club, referee society, school, college or university into the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme, you are giving them the chance to be acknowledged with a wide range of unique opportunities.
From watching the England team train at the Honda training facility at Pennyhill Park, to being invited to attend a recognition lunch hosted by the RFU President at Allianz Stadium, the programme is the perfect way to say thank you.
VOLUNTEERS' WEEK
Volunteers’ Week is a national campaign that occurs each year at the beginning of June. This presents a great opportunity to join in and celebrate the great work of volunteers with resources provided each year to support this.
HONDA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards is a nationwide initiative that allows anyone to nominate a volunteer at a grassroots rugby club, or wider rugby family, who deserves recognition for their commitment to the game over the last 12 months.
HONDA PRE-MATCH HOSPITALITY
Up to 250 club volunteers who already have match tickets can register for up to four tickets for pre-match hospitality outside in the British Airways Fan Village before every England home fixture during the Guinness Six Nations and Autumn Internationals where they get to enjoy hot food and a variety of beverages alongside fellow volunteers. Registration details are communicated in advance via the Community Game Update.
EXCLUSIVE 'MONEY CAN'T BUY' EXPERIENCES
Throughout the season there are several opportunities to nominate volunteers for money-can’t-buy reward experiences as a thank you for their commitment to the game. These include an invitation to watch the England senior squad train at the Honda England Rugby training Centre at Pennyhill Park during the Guinness Six Nations or Autumn Internationals where they get to enjoy lunch and meet with a number of England players for photos and autographs.
RFU PRESIDENT’S VALUE THE VOLUNTEER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Rugby union has a long and proud tradition of thanking volunteers. Encouraging these traditions at clubs and Constituent Bodies helps maintain the ethos of the game we love. Ahead of the Guinness Six Nations and Autumn Internationals home fixtures, each Constituent Body is invited to nominate an exceptional volunteer to attend an England home fixture with a guest of their choice. The selected volunteers receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Allianz Stadium before enjoying lunch with the RFU President in the Spirit of Rugby Hospitality Suite.
VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATE
If you are looking to recognise and thank your volunteers, we have produced an editable certificate which can be downloaded from the links below.
CLUB VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION IDEAS
If you are looking to recognise and thank your volunteers, we have provided some ideas on how you can do this as a club.
