Spencer admits early support shaped career

The prizes were presented by former England women’s captain Catherine Spencer who said her career would not have reached the heights it did without the support and encouragement of volunteers. Number eight Spencer, who won 63 international caps, highlighted the role played by coaches at her first club, Folkestone, and in particular Mike O’sullivan, who encouraged her to pursue her dreams at a time when not many girls played rugby. She added: “If it was not for the volunteers, no way would I have played for England. The coaches were brilliant, they were my knowledge source. “One of my most treasured awards is the one I got at Folkestone for being most improved player aged 10. “Mike was the one who really pushed me forward for the award – he really championed it when people were asking ‘What is the point of giving it

Mini Volunteer of the Year Winner: Teresa Gray (Gravesend) Runners-up: Rebecca Cahill (Westcombe Park), Anthony Kempster (Beccehamians)

Junior Volunteer Winner: Ian Kenny (Old Alleynians) Runners-up: Tim Harmer (Blackheath), Martin Kelly (Ashford)

Girls Volunteer Winner: Helen Relf (Aylesford) Runners-up: Tonya Williams (Sevenoaks), Sandra SolerGomez (Dartfordians)

Young Volunteer Winner: Ben Gray (Ashford Rfc/towers School) Runners-up: Charlie Meredith (Canterbury), Alfie Fulcher (Westcombe Park)

Student Volunteer Winner: Biba Chuta (Christ

Church University) to a girl?’” During questions from the floor Spencer, who now runs the inspiringwomen.co.uk speaker agency, said former athlete Sally Gunnell was her first female role model and that Gill Burns, England women’s captain from 1994-1999, was her biggest inspiration. Runners-up: Victoria Buswell (Christ Church University), Jake Robinson (University of Kent)

Women’s Volunteer Winner: Claire Bernthal (Canterbury) Runers-up: Jayne AshdownDenny (Aylesford), Vanessa Morgan (Tunbridge Wells)

Senior Volunteer Winner: David Haigh (Canterbury) Runners-up: David Suter (Faversham), Steve Collins (Footscray) RFU Spirit of Rugby Award Winner: Prendergast Ladywell Runners-up: Leigh Academy, Trinity Lee

President’s Award Winner: Bob Hayton (Maidstone) Runners-up: Dave Phillips (Dartfordians), Marc Root (Folkestone)

Catherine Spencer addresses guests