Over recent weeks, Wheatley Hills have been working with local RFU staff, to complete the Accreditation Process and ensure that the club meets the necessary criteria. The award marks a new milestone in the club’s history and acts as a rubber stamp that the club is being run effectively and both its on and off field activities meet with the approval of Rugby Unions National Governing Body.

As part of the scheme, the club is tasked with putting in place both short and long-term action plans, to ensure that the club is continually improving and meeting the standards required. These plans will ensure that the best possible experience is delivered across the clubs Adult, Age Grade, Girls and Touch rugby activities.

Following being awarded the Club Accreditation, Wheatley Hills will now be able to benefit from Sport England Club Mark, which recognises the excellence of the clubs Age Grade section and will promote the club with increased status and credibility with local authorities, educational establishments, funding organisations and within the local community.

Wheatley Hills Director of Rugby, Olly Dixon, commented on the recent award ‘We are really pleased to become an Accredited Club and it marks our commitment to delivering a safe and enjoyable environment for all who want to take part in Rugby. We have a wide range of rugby at the club, including 2 adult teams, an Age Grade Section and Girls Teams, and are committed to ensuring we have something to offer for everyone’.

‘We recently took the RFUs Kids First Pledge, to ensure our Age Grade players are put at the centre of what we deliver and Club Accreditation is the next step in our long-term plans to continue to grow and develop as a club’.

RFU Rugby Development Officer for South Yorkshire, Jonathan Rickerby, said ‘It’s great to see the club planning to grow for the future working with new players male and female, old and young! The club are working hard behind the scenes in developing the game and the amount of people playing at their club. It is great to see the investment starting to make a difference in participation and the club being a hub of Rugby activity’.