Last Saturday (7th December), Withycombe had their Club Accreditation award renewed for another two years in a presentation ceremony held during a VP Members and Sponsors lunch held at Raleigh Park before the Withies 1st XV game against Totnes.
The award was presented to Club Chairman, Mervyn Richards by the President of the Devon RFU, Ken Jeffery.
During his presentation, Mr Jeffery praised the club for it’s hard work in ensuring that all the criteria had been met to a good standard as well as going on to commend Club Secretary
Dave Josey, Groundsman Peter Farley and Mervyn Richards on their long service with the club.

The accreditation award is defined on the England Rugby website as “allowing clubs to exhibit all that is good about rugby in their adult sections, mini and youth, women and girls and touch rugby, while demonstrating that this is all achieved in a friendly, welcoming environment.”
This is measured using the core values of the game of rugby as well as six “Key Drivers”, which are:

Retaining & Developing Players
Recruiting New Players
Recruiting & Retaining High Quality Coaches, Volunteers & Referees
Effective & Efficient Facilities
Effective & Efficient Management and Governance
Integration with the Local Community

Following the presentation, Club Secretary, Dave Josey said: “We are delighted to have once again achieved Accreditation from the RFU. This recognises our commitment to rugby through the way on which we fulfil all the criteria of how a club should be run. It covers all aspects of the club both on and off the field. We had to go through a process where we could demonstrate how we are continually improving the club for all of our members playing and social, especially how we provide rugby for all ages and genders through our recruiting and training of qualified coaches at all levels. Our connection to the local community was also recognised showing that we have a vital role to play in our locality and beyond.
This award also gives us access to various benefits from RFU both in financial and advisory support.
I would like to thank all members for the many ways in which they contribute to our club and make it something I am very proud to be part of”

All of us at the club echo Dave’s thoughts and we are proud to be able to show our Club Accreditation mark for another two years.