The ultimate accolade for a sporting volunteer?

That must be a fair interpretation of the Torch Trophy Trust Awards which are presented annually to the nominees put forward by sporting organisations across the country.

Which is why recipient from Rugby Union, Lancashire’s Peter Hughes, was in the company of elite sporting people from all parts of the spectrum when he collected his trophy from HRH The Duke of Kent in London recently (pictured).

“It was a fabulous evening,” said the Burnley RUFC, Manchester Referees’ Society and RFU committee stalwart, who was joined at the function by his wife Sue and daughter Liz: “We all had a fantastic evening with20 volunteers from 15 different sports receiving a certificate and lovely statuette from The Duke.

It is in the form of the Olympic Torch and stands on an inscribed plinth.

“The atmosphere at the post-presentation reception was very relaxed with the famous trustees all mingling with the volunteers. I had a chance to chat with Bobby Charlton, who is the President of the Torch Trophy Trust, Christine Truman/Janes, who read out the citations, and the former England cricket captain Mike Denness. It was also good to catch up with Lancastrian Roger Uttley, who is the current Chairman of the Trust.”

When the organisation was founded in 1962 by Commander Bill Collins, organiser of the Olympic Torch Relay when the games were held in London in 1948, the concept was to recognise individuals who have given exceptional voluntary service to their sport.

Twenty awards are presented each year, with governing bodies being invited to nominate people who they feel are qualified for this singular honour.

The 70-year-old retired dentist from Burnley, who was President of the Lancashire RFU in the 1996/97 season was an ideal candidate for the award, which will be presented to him by the Duke of Kent at a function at the Army and Navy Club.

A former player with Oldham and captain of Kersal, a stalwart of Calder Vale – now Burnley RFC – for 44 years, a former international referee and ex-President of the Manchester Society of Referees and a long-serving member of the England Rugby Football Schools Union, Peter Hughes has devoted countless hours in the service of Rugby Union at all levels.

The Torch Trophy Trust Award was richly deserved recognition.
Peter commented, “We all had a fantastic evening with twenty Volunteers from fifteen different sports receiving a certificate and lovely statuette from the Duke of Kent. The atmosphere at the post-presentation reception was very relaxed

... It was also good to catch up with Lancastrian Roger Uttley who is the current Chairman of the Trust.”