Leek Rugby Clubs Director of Rugby, Neil Edge, has come first runner up in ‘Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent’ Coach of the Year awards. Neil was presented with his trophy at the Stafford County Building on November 4th 2015.
Neil was nominated for this prestigious award for all of the volunteered hours of coaching and guidance given to Leek RUFC spanning two decades.

Alongside bringing up a young family and running his own business, Neil coaches at senior and junior level. Neil’s love of the game has helped to inspire and encourage many young children, improving confidence and ability in a fun and safe environment. Leek RUFC can now boast of nearly 300 youngsters turning up to play on a Sunday morning. Neil has also introduced many parents into rugby coaching and runs regular coaching sessions. On top of this, Neil visits local schools to promote rugby and links to Leek RUFC

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings Neil can be found coaching the seniors. In 2014 Neil was part of the coaching team that guided our first team to the National Intermediate finals at Twickenham and into Midlands West One Division. Neil also oversees recruitment and retention of players which has ensured that Leek RUFC has a first team which consists of 80% home grown talent, a strong second team... a league winning third team and a ‘dust your boots off’ veterans team too.

To be awarded first runner up ‘coach of the year’ of the county is an incredible achievement and is not only an award for Neil but for the club as a whole. The award highlights the efforts given from Neil, fellow coaches and many more hard working volunteers that go towards making Leek Rugby Club the remarkable club it is today.

Author Jane Walker