Honourable mentions were given to Old Crossleyans RUFC for their development work with their Age Grade section and Skipton RUFC for maintaining high standards over a number of seasons.

The Shield will be presented at the U15 and U16 Yorkshire Cup Finals on Sunday 13 April. A significant number of nominations were received - many thanks to the RDOs and District Safeguarding Managers and the final choice, although not easy, was well-deserved.

Citation for the Dennis Cobbold Memorial Shield:-

The Dennis Cobbold Memorial Shield is donated by his family in remembrance of Dennis and awarded by the County to the Club whose Age Grade section has been outstanding in the provision of a safe and secure environment in which young people can develop and play the game of rugby union. It embodies the core values of the game – teamwork – respect - enjoyment – discipline – sportsmanship- values that Dennis represented in all that he did.

Background information on Dennis Cobbold.

Dennis Cobbold was a rugby man. To the core values of the game – teamwork – respect – enjoyment – discipline and sportsmanship he added a very special quality – leadership. He was a leader on pitch, through his coaching, through his role in the clubhouse both formal and informal, and particularly in his contribution to a coherent and effective safeguarding strategy, at both county and national levels, to protect young people in our game. His knowledge and professionalism were responsible in no small part for the threads of safeguarding principles that weave through all that clubs do to introduce young people to our game, to develop their skills and character through playing the game and to support the volunteers who make such an invaluable contribution. His legacy is to be seen on rugby pitches across the county in the enjoyment of young people playing the game for fun.