Northampton’s rugby community can now nominate the coach, volunteer or player that they believe deserves the 2016 Rugby Spirit Award, which will be handed out at the Saints’ End of Season Awards in May.
The Northampton Rugby Spirit Award, which is presented in conjunction with Northampton Borough Council, celebrates the contributions of those people who have made a difference over a number of years to the development of the sport in the town’s clubs and schools.
This year’s winner will follow in the footsteps of Norman Barker, who was honoured for his many years of work at Northampton School for Boys and Sponne School, as well as a number of local clubs.
Nominees can be a coach who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, a teacher who has given his or her own time to set up a new rugby team in their school, or someone who has raised funds in an imaginative and successful means, either for a rugby club or using the sport to raise money for charity.
Nominees can come from anyone in Northampton’s rugby community, including clubs within the wider Northampton and District Rugby Alliance. To nominate simply head to www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/rugbyspirit and submit a 500-word supporting statement and other relevant documents.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 22nd, with the short-list announced shortly afterwards. A panel made up from Northampton Saints and Northampton Borough Council will then decide the winner, who will receive their Award at a gala black tie event at Franklin’s Gardens on May 9th.
“Northampton is a fantastic sporting town that celebrates and embraces rugby union, a sport which has helped generate a strong community spirit throughout the town,” said Mary Markham, leader of Northampton Borough Council.
“From the Saints through to the junior clubs, the university and the schools, there are people who contribute greatly to the community in so many different ways.
“We are proud of the success the Saints have achieved and equally proud of the way the club has been at the heart of our community for more than 135 years.
“And we are delighted to be working with the club in this way as this award means we can publicly honour and recognise the tremendous work done by volunteers, coaches, teachers and players in the Northampton area.”
“We saw last year the reception that Norman Barker received when he won the Rugby Spirit Award and we’re sure that this year’s winner will be just as deserving,” said Saints chief executive Allan Robson.
“The Rugby Spirit Award is about recognising the community work that is done at the grass roots level in the town and surrounding area, and these are often the people who make these contributions without making a fuss.
“So it’s up to us to make a fuss about them, and I encourage everyone who knows someone who they believe deserves the Award to make their submissions.”
Tickets remain available for the 2016 End of Season Awards, but with over 800 booked already time is running out to guarantee your place at one of Northampton’s biggest evenings!
As well as the Northampton Rugby Spirit Award the winners of the Saints’ Supporters’ Player, Players’ Player and Young Player of the Season will be announced, along with the scorer of the Try of the Season and those players who have passed the 50 and 100-appearance marks during 2015/16.
To book your place email [email protected].
