The WRU and SWALEC, the National community partner of the WRU and the power behind the SWALEC Cup competitions and SWALEC Leagues, have launched the inaugural SWALEC Community Awards, an initiative to recognise commitment to active participation, community relations and energy efficiency by grassroots clubs across Wales.
The WRU invites applications from any club who feels it has made an outstanding contribution in any or all of these three categories by the closing date of Monday 4 January 2010.
Four winning clubs will be announced week commencing Monday 29th March 2010. Three clubs will be awarded £1000 worth of Webb Ellis training equipment for excelling in one of the three categories and one club will be named overall ‘Community Awards’ winner for displaying efforts in all three categories.
This lucky club will have the chance to spend £1000 on the Webb Ellis equipment of its choice, but will also be presented with a certificate and vouchers by members of the Welsh management team and international players at the winning club’s headquarters. The club will also enjoy a training session with these experts, providing an opportunity to learn from the best in Wales.
The criteria to be fulfilled in each award category are listed in full below, to enter please complete your application by Monday January 4 2010. So don’t forget, you still have time to make those changes in one or more categories and apply online.
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis , said of the initiative, “The WRU is well aware of the effort, expertise and enthusiasm injected into Welsh club rugby by the army of volunteers that make such a difference to so many people the length and breadth of the country, and we are thrilled that this will be recognised by our National community partner SWALEC in the form of this fantastic initiative to reward clubs who go the extra mile.”
Alan Williams, Director of Energy Sales for SWALEC, commented: “The SWALEC brand is delighted to provide the opportunity to showcase and reward rugby clubs across Wales who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the sport, their local communities and energy efficiency.”
SWALEC COMMUNITY AWARDS
Categories
Category 1: Participation
Players: Clubs make a difference to the health of the nation by running teams at junior and youth level and by starting women’s and girls’ teams if they don’t do so already. In so doing, they increase active participation in sport, as well as raising the standard of rugby talent coming through the ranks.
Coaches: Coach development is a key area of the game and it is vital that our children and young people are nurtured and developed well and gain a lifelong enjoyment of the game while playing for their local clubs. Community clubs can also be the breeding ground for our future professional coaches so recruiting and developing the right coaches is important on many levels.
Referees: No match can go ahead without a referee and clubs are a vital starting point for the recruitment and continued development of match officials.
Administrators: Grassroots rugby clubs simply could not survive without the thousands of volunteers who carry out thankless but necessary tasks to keep clubs in order. It is important clubs continue to attract new volunteers into the game. Administrators, first aiders, child protection officers and team managers are all essential roles that need to be filled for clubs to run smoothly.
Clubs’ efforts to recruit and develop players, coaches, match officials, first aiders and administrators will be recognised in this category. Clubs should detail their achievements in this sector and highlight how they have welcomed new members into their club.
Category 2: Community Engagement
Traditionally, rugby clubs in Wales have enjoyed the status of being the central focus of their community. By opening up their facilities and opportunities to other organisations and community groups, clubs and communities can work together to improve and stimulate the local environment. This type of community engagement has no limits and the WRU and SWALEC would like to reward initiative in this area through the SWALEC Energy Awards.
Clubs should detail their efforts to welcome members of the community to their clubhouses and facilities.
Category 3: Energy Efficiency
In May this year, the WRU, in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and SWALEC, provided all clubs with an Energy Saving Guide, which contained valuable tips to help rugby clubs to save money whilst tackling climate change. Advice ranged from the most energy efficient ways of washing kit and heating club house facilities to energy saving light bulbs and water wastage.
This award category will recognise energy-saving initiatives and clubs should outline efforts they have made in this area.
Application deadline and Selection Panel
The deadline for applications is Monday 4 January 2010 and four winning clubs will be announced week commencing Monday 29th March 2010.
The selection panel will meet in the New Year to identify the winners of each category and the overall winner who has submitted an application within one or more of the award categories.
The selection panel shall comprise Tim Burton (WRU Head of Operations), Carl Douglas (WRU player development manager) and Alan Williams (SWALEC Director of Energy Sales).
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