Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Volunteers take the plaudits
Rugby
Phil Mooney was honoured for his dedication to student rugby at the Kent RFU Volunteers Awards evening.
Held for the third time and fittingly at the end of National Volunteers Week, the evening at the Shepherd Neame Brewery at Faversham, celebrated the achievements of those who give their time to support activities at clubs across the county.
Guest of honour, Great Britain Olympic athlete Jack Green, just back from running in Prague, presented the awards.
Mooney, who is involved with both Canterbury Rugby Club and Christ Church University and county rugby, was named Student Volunteer of the Year.
Another Merton Lane stalwart, Emma Alleyne, was one of the runners-up in the Women’s category, while Whitstable youngster Lewis Franks was one of three Young Rugby Ambassador nominees.
The citations read: “Phil has championed student rugby for over 10 years, lives and breathes the RFU values and as inaugural chair of the Kent RFU Education Committee, has supported the game across the county, establishing a nationally recognised model of good practice, bringing schools, colleges and university development together, as well as securing more than £25,000 of funding.”
“Emma has single-handedly managed Canterbury Women’s fixtures and referee allocation for the last eight years.
“She joined the club when she started at the University of Kent and has encouraged many students to make the transition from university to club player.
“Her infectious love of rugby, commitment and passionate dedication make her an exceptional volunteer who represents the true spirit of rugby.”
Lewis won praise for his enthusiasm and commitment to refereeing.
Green, who admitted rugby was his first love as a youngster, has played at Folkestone and Ashford and trained with the England Sevens squad.
He now helps out at Canterbury, with strength and conditioning work.
The 400m hurdler also talked candidly about his battles with depression and paid tribute to his first volunteer coach June Plews.
He said: “She coached me from the age of 14 to 18 at Canterbury, before I moved to Bath, then messaged me every week until I came back.
“I coach myself now because she works but still comes down once, maybe three times a week, was the only person who stayed in touch and been on the whole journey with me.
“I owe her a lot and hope if I have a great season this year, I can pay her to do it full-time, that’s the least she deserves.
“She comes and watches all my races in the UK and is my rock.”
“Volunteers play a huge part and I don’t think you get as much credit as you should, so events like this are fantastic.” Full list of awards, Mini Volunteer of the Year: Linval Antonio (Old Dunstonians); runners-up William Wilson (Deal & Betteshanger), Mark Ide (Gravesend). Junior Volunteer of the Year: Barry Walsh (Tonbridge Juddians); runners-up: Andy Munro (Beccehamians), Mark Finnis (Dover). Girls Volunteer of the Year: Maggie Watts (Thanet Wanderers); runners-up: Simon Parsons (Tunbridge Wells), Tim Leng (Westcombe Park). Spirit of Rugby Award: Steven Doughty (Folkestone); runners-up: Russell English (Deal & Betteshanger), Matthew Lynch (St Matthews Academy, Lewisham). Student Volunteer of the Year: Phil Mooney (Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury & Kent Rugby); runners Up: Rhys Amos and Alison Dolan (both London South Bank University). Young Rugby Ambassador: Tom Read: (Edenbridge); runners-up: Ben Jolly (Westcombe Park), Lewis Franks (Whitstable). Women’s Volunteer of the Year: Robbie Broadhurst (Beccehamians); runners-up: Emma Alleyne (Canterbury), Claire Dalladay (New Ash Green). Men’s Volunteer of the Year: Peter Jovanovic (Cranbrook); runners-up: Len Jeffrey (Askeans), Anthony Percy (Orpington). President’s Award: Jerry Freds (Bromley); runners-up: Steve Brown (Aylesford Bulls), Allan Jones (Sidcup).