Owain Jones from Rugby World presents the trophy to some happy Hitchin members
Hitchin RFC has won an RFU President’s XV Award, supported by QBE, the business insurance specialist.
The club was presented with the Seal of Approval Club of the Year Award in celebration of the clubs initiatives to encourage young people to become involved in the club and the game of rugby.
Now in its sixth year, the RFU President’s XV Awards seek to identify and reward initiatives that promote the development of rugby at a grassroots level. This year the RFU received 274 entries for the competition’s 15 categories.
Hitchin RFC was presented with a cheque for £500 and a special trophy by and Owain Jones, Editor Rugby World magazine.
The RFU President’s XV judging panel comprised RFU President Willie Wildash, immediate Past President John Owen, Rugby Football Union for Women President Gill Burns, England’s most-capped player Jason Leonard and Sally Rockenbach from QBE.
Chris Kelly, Club President of Hitchin RFC said “It’s a great honour for us to be awarded with the Seal of Approval Club of the Year Award). It’s testament to the time and effort that every member devotes to the club that we have won, and we look forward to using the prize money to take the club from strength to strength.”
John Owen, RFU immediate Past President, said: “The quality of entries was very high this year and this made life difficult for the panel of judges. All the winners and runners up are doing a great job at the grassroots end of our game, across many important development areas. These clubs are the heart and soul of rugby and it’s wonderful to be able to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work put in by all the volunteers involved.”
Elliot Miller, QBE General Manager UK National, commented: “QBE is proud to support the RFU President’s XV Awards once again as part of our commitment to rugby. Initiatives such as this are vital to recognise and reward clubs whose work has helped to develop and strengthen the game at a grassroots level. The ideas put in place here are entrepreneurial and original and will provide inspiration to clubs nationwide”.