Continuing with The Jack Petchey Achievement Awards for 2020, last weekend four awards were presented to our current U15s after they finished their training. This exciting team is building momentum ahead of what they hope will be an uninterrupted and highly successful 2021/22 season.

The Jack Petchey Achievement Awards is a scheme which recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex. These awards are given to young people that have done something that deserves to be recognised and rewarded and for their hard work and positive impact in their community. These awards are all about celebrating young people’s achievements – however big or small and in this case the award of four individuals in one team is very impressive. With diverse reasons for each recipient, it only goes to show the immense strength and depth of this team.

Presented by their Head Coach and club stalwart Kevin Linnane, the team was remined that a Jack Petchey award not only benefits the Club but is an achievement that every young person who receives one should be proud to put on any college or university application as well as their CV as they head into adult life.

Two more of the awards will follow next Sunday as we round out the 2020 awards. We will then start the 2021 process of looking for nominations from the players and coaches of the club.

Please take the time to read the commendations below and congratulate them next time you pass them on the playing field.

Ben – U15s
When Half Term arrives, it is common practice for teenagers to want to spend as much time enjoying activities outside of the learning environment, whether that be playing in the park with their friends, or in this modern age connecting with their friends via electronic gaming devices.

At Enfield Ignatians RFC however, and in line with the core values that we promote, we are blessed to have some outstanding young people that often go above and beyond for the benefit of others. As such the Club would like to recognise Ben from our current U15 age group for his dedication and commitment to the club.

During the half term week of February 2020, the club organised its first ever rugby-based camp. With our motto being “The Club That Cares”. We acknowledged that many parents in our Club have challenges with childcare over these periods and moreover many players could benefit from more intensive coaching through a structured week of learning and playing development.

The camp was open to our youth age groups ages 7-12 and the take up was huge. Ben took it upon himself to contact the Age Group Head Coach Kevin indicating that he would like to accompany his younger sister who was attending the camp and assist the coaching over the camp. A 14-year-old to have that amount of self-confidence is something that makes Kevin to be proud of our club. We work hard on developing great characters both on and off the pitch.

Ben was a great asset over the camp working closely with Kevin on the various stations. He revised the session plan and confidently delivered an explanation to the players, and a demonstration. During the activity he would comment on how they could improve. Having a peer coach, players reacted far better than with just the regular coach. He was calm and articulate, and we watched as his and the young players grew.

Ben set a great example over camp pushing himself outside of his normal comfort zone and moreover fulfilling a selfless act for the benefit of others. We as a club are delighted to call him one of our own.

Sidney – U15s
Sid has been with the team since he was eight years old. In that time he has been one of the most consistent of performers of the squad in all areas: especially his tenacity during the game and his bravery in the tackle.

In measure of physical size, the quiet Trojan isn't one of the biggest to don the gold and blue, but his performances and leadership indeed and action set him apart from others. He is a giant!

He goes about his business with a ready smile and a quiet word. His commitment to our rugby family is absolute and it is for the reasons above that he has won this award.

Harry – U15s
Harry has been a stalwart of the current U15s setup for many years. However, his attitude and endeavour over the last two years has been exemplary and is a credit to him.

After receiving a serious knee injury that side-lined him for months, Harry's involvement in the team did not diminish he attended all training sessions both on Tuesdays and Sundays offering to assist his teammates in any way that he was able from holding pads to gathering balls.

His commitment to his friends, team and Club have well been noted by parents and players alike and it was with great pleasure that Harry made his return to playing recently.

Declan – U15s
Children’s week is run by the local parish at ST George’s for a week offering support to working parents over the summer holidays. Everyone there are volunteers, and the kids have a variety of activities every day.

Our Club was invited over two mornings 9-12 to run rugby related activities. We had various smaller sided games and competitions. Andy and John were really grateful to Declan as they were more popular than they thought, so he helped running his own stations while the other coaches did theirs, coaching skills such as passing and evasion.
The Club benefited well as we had a number of new recruits across a fair few age groups.