Home > NGB Area >

Rugby Football Union

With the launch of the new President’s XV Recognition Awards almost upon us, we caught up with last season’s winners to see how the scheme has made a positive impact on their clubs and how they decided to spend their prize money. Some clubs chose to reward those directly involved in the President’s XV scheme whilst others took a ‘whole club development’ approach by investing the prize money into projects aimed at benefiting all members of the club.

 

Bolton RFC, winner of the ‘School Links’ category last season used their £500 to buy new tag rugby sets to give to winning primary schools at this year’s tag tournaments. “We felt that this would be the most appropriate way of spending the money” said Scott Watson, Bolton RFC’s Community Rugby Coach. “It gives back something that will enable the continuation of tag rugby coaching within the schools after the Club Development Officer and Community Coach finish their sessions”

 

Double award winners Cockermouth RFC decided to reward their Girls rugby team, winners of the ‘Girl Power’ category, by taking them to Edinburgh for a specialist four-day coaching session. “It has been a very positive experience for all of us” explains Janet Mackay, one of the many volunteers that helped Cockermouth RFC also secure the PXV ‘More Volunteers’ award. “Both awards have raised awareness of girls and ladies rugby and the work of volunteers within the club and the town. It has also helped strengthen links with the main club. The PXV scheme is very positive in highlighting areas that don’t regularly get noticed”.

 

The majority of the award-winning clubs decided to use their money to tackle schemes already identified by their clubs as priority areas; investing their money in new training apparel and team equipment, laptops, trophy cabinets and even a new gymnasium.

 

Mansfield RFC, winner of the ‘Enjoyment’ category is one such example. Currently in the middle of a three-year project to floodlight their two main pitches, Mansfield RFC recently secured grants through the RFF (Rugby Football Foundation) and CCDP alongside money contributed from a local sponsor to pay for the scheme. They also utilised an interest-free loan from RFF for the remaining amount which they plan to pay back through their fundraising ‘Floodlight Campaign’ which the President’s XV prize money has contributed towards: “We felt that this was the best use of the award money at this time” said Mansfield’s Chairman, Andy Foster; “We were keen for it to go towards a project that will very much benefit the whole club for a project that everyone can enjoy”.

 

With the new President’s XV Recognition scheme due to be launched within the next couple of weeks, this season could be your club’s opportunity to gain national recognition and win a share of £10,000. Bolton RFC’s Scott Watson agrees: “The President’s XV Awards gives clubs that are active in the local community the chance to be recognised nationally for work that they do, allowing clubs to share ideas and work programmes with others”. For more information on the scheme and to submit nominations, visit www.rfu.com/presidentsxv.