Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Rewarding those who offer game so much
Amazing, Tireless. Irreplaceable. Just three of the words used to describe nominees in the 2016 Kent RFU Volunteer Awards.
Now in their second year the awards were set up to recognise those people behind the scenes who work so hard to make rugby the sport it is.
Nominees included coaches, administrators and players from both ends of the age scale, with one of the night’s winners being an octogenarian whose commitment to his club stretches back more than three decades.
Senior Volunteer of the Year David Haigh is Canterbury Rugby Club’s press officer, matchday commentator and programme editor, but they are just some of his roles.
A former Society Referee he is also the club’s RFU Registration Officer and Match Referee Liaison Officer as well as being East Kent representative on the county committee.
His citation, submitted by his club, added “Quite simply the game could not happen without people like David working tirelessly behind the scenes.”
Mr Haigh took the award ahead of Dave Suter – described as ‘integral’ to his club Faversham – and Steve Collins, of Footscray.
Canterbury were also recognised in the Women’s Volunteer category which was won by Claire Bernthal, described as ‘rugby through to the core.’
A former first team captain, she continues to be heavily involved and is also assistant coach for the club’s new under-18s girls team. Runners-up were Jayne Ashdown-denny (Aylesford) and Vanessa Morgan (Tunbridge Wells).
Canterbury’s two universities dominated the Student Volunteer Canterbury’s David Haigh in conversation of the Year category with Christ Christ University club women’s rugby president Biba Chuta taking the prize.
She beat off competition from Christ Church women’s captain Victoria Buswell, whose team
‘Quite simply the game could not happen without people like David working tirelessly behind the scenes’
finished the season unbeaten, and University of Kent men’s captain Jake Robinson.
Mini Volunteer of the Year went to Gravesend’s Teresa Gray whose citation said she was ‘the heart and soul’ of her club’s mini and youth section as well as being a ‘true role model’ and ‘ambassador.’
The two runners- up were Rebecca Cahill ( Westcombe Park) and Anthony Kempster (Beccehamians) whose nomination came from a neighbouring club.
Ian Kenny, of Old Alleynians, was Junior Volunteer of the Year. He has worked hard within his local community, to develop rugby and also set up the Rugby For All charity side, which supplies underprivileged players with free playing kit and club subs.
Ashford teenager Ben Gray was the Young Volunteer of the Year for his work both at his hometown club and Towers School. A keen player himself for Ashford 2nds, Ben also runs touch sessions, referees matches and helps deliver tag rugby to special needs children.
Charlie Meredith (Canterbury Touch Rugby coach/manager) and young referee Alfie Fulcher (Westcombe Park) were the other nominees, Meredith being described as having amazing leadership and organisational skills.
Girls Volunteer of the Year winner Helen Relf’s citation from her club Aylesford described her as ‘simply amazing’. The citation went on to say that she works tirelessly for the good of the girls and shows great compassion.
Tonya Williams (Sevenoaks) – praised for her ‘relentless commitment’ – and ‘serial volunteer’ Sandra Soler-gomez (Dartfordians) were the runners-up.
Colin Blackham’s Kent RFU President’s Award went to Bob Hayton, simply described as ‘Mr Maidstone.’
Mr Hayton juggles press and media responsibilities with sponsorship and advertising duties and his nomination form said: “One often hears that no-one in a club is irreplaceable but it would take 10 people to replace our candidate.”
Also nominated were Dave Phillips (Dartfordians) and Marc Root (Folkestone).
Prendergast Ladywell in Lewisham won the RFU Spirit of Rugby Award with Leigh Academy, and Trinity Lee runnersup. The schools were nominated by England Rugby community coaches.
The evening was held at Shepherd Neame’s Visitor Centre in Faversham and master of ceremonies was Matt Mitchell, from Wooden Spoon, who together with Sheps, were event sponsors.