BARKERS Butts Rugby Club may have missed out on a prestigious prize at the home of English rugby, but they are counting their blessings after reaching the final of the Crabbie’s National Rugby Awards.
The club narrowly missed out on winning the Little Scrummers Rugby Youth and Mini Section of the Year award at Twickenham on September 1, at an event attended by England internationals Chris Robshaw, Danny Care and Alex Goode as well as members of the Olympic silver medal-winning rugby sevens side.
With World Cup winners Neil Back and Danny Grewcock among their alumni, the youth and mini section is the backbone to Barkers Butts’ success, and after first launching back in 1973, the club now has more than 310 youngsters running out for them each week.
And despite missing out on top spot, the team insists they couldn’t have asked for better recognition of their hard work both on and off the pitch.
“It was brilliant – so inspirational. We had a brilliant night and to see and meet so many great people has spurred us on,” said secretary Joanne Lawson, 45.
“To miss out was a little disappointing but we only take positives from the whole event, to be nominated is a great achievement.
“We sat with Olney, who won, and we sat and chatted the whole night about junior rugby, which is very important.
“We swapped stories about what we do and what they do and we picked up some great tips.
“Evenings like this are great for morale as you can sit around with other people and it shows you what you achieved – and we have achieved a lot.”
Now in its second year, the Crabbie’s National Rugby Awards are designed to honour the achievements of all the thousands of rugby clubs up and down the country.
The Awards provide recognition to clubs and players at every level of the game, as well as those who invest their time and energy into the sport in other ways.
For more information about the National Rugby Awards, please visit the Website http://www.nationalrugbyawards.co.uk