In the Press - 2009 Mini and Youth Seal of Approval Clubs of the Year Named
2009 Mini and Youth Seal of Approval Clubs of the Year Named
27 February 2009
The 2009 Mini and Youth Seal of Approval Clubs of the Year awards have been named, and North Dorset RFC have swooped the main prize.
North Dorset RFC have been crowned national winners as well as South West regional winners of the prestigious Rugby Football Union initiative.
Other clubs celebrating are Keswick RFC (runner-up and North West winner), Old Northamptonians (runner-up and Midlands East winner), Wallingford RFC (Southern winner), Wensleydale RUFC (North East and Yorkshire winner) and Eton Manor RFC (London North winner).
The Mini and Youth Seal of Approval is a method of examining, maintaining and improving the provision of rugby in the mini and youth section of a rugby club.
Building upon current good practice, the accreditation aims to recognize the effort and achievement of those clubs that reach, maintain and improve on the required standard of a club committed to the provision of quality rugby experiences for young players.
North Dorset RFC have been national runners-up for the last two seasons, but this year the Gillingham club have finally laid claim to the national prize.
Having moved a disused second hand sailing club hut from the coast 15 years ago and built a vibrant club around it, on the foundations of a club with 50 years of family connections and community commitment, membership now stands at 1165 with 172 Volunteers and 184 Vice Presidents. The club has 19 sides in all with 480 boys and girls in the junior sections and four senior teams in the leagues.
Stephen Keates, North Dorset's chairman, said: "This prestigious award is a wonderful way of recognising our fantastic team of volunteers who work throughout the year for the club and rugby, covering all aspects of our operation and maintaining the ethos and culture of the game so that junior players become lifelong members and good citizens within the community."
North Dorset RFC, Keswick RFC and Old Northamptonians RFC will now go forward to represent the RFU in the CCPR's Club of the Year competition. CCPR is the national alliance of governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation.
For more information on North Dorset RFC, please contact Stephen Keates on 01747 852116
http://www.rfu.com/News/2009/February/News%20Articles/2009MiniAndYouthSealOfApprovalClubsOfTheYearNamed.aspx?a=1&y=2009
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