Minister for Sport backs Premiership Rugby clubs' work in community

Premiership Rugby, 2014 Winner of the Sport Federation/Governing Body of the Year has been praised by Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch, who has noted the outstanding work carried by the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs in their local communities. 

The MP for Chatham and Aylesford's comments came after Premiership Rugby clubs across England were honoured at the prestigious All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group Premiership Rugby Community Awards, staged at the House of Commons.

The awards were presented by Wayne Morris, Premiership Rugby Community and CSR Director and were attended by a number of MPs including the Rt Hon John Whittingdale MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP Minister of State for Employment, Ben Howlett MP for Bath and Robin Walker MP for Worcester, Premiership Rugby partners, Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson and Harlequins hooker Dave Ward.

Celebrating their 10th year, the awards highlight the wide range of development work that the Premiership Rugby clubs deliver locally within their communities.

From sports participation to education, health and social inclusion, Premiership Rugby's Play and BreakThru campaigns use rugby to change lives and tackle some of England's most challenging agendas.

"Sport has a unique power to change lives for the better and it is a credit to the Premiership Rugby clubs when you see the great work they do in their local communities," said Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch.

"I congratulate all the winners and nominees and thank them for their efforts encouraging participation in rugby and promoting social inclusion.

"It's fantastic that these awards honour the unsung heroes who are so crucial to making community sport happen."

The awards receive cross-party political support and Julie Elliott MP, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group said: "This is the 10th Parliamentary Community Awards and the quality and quantity of the work has increased each year. So, on behalf of the All Party Rugby Union Group, I want to applaud the professional clubs, their volunteers and partners for their continued commitment to use their sport to change the lives of individuals and local communities."

Mark Pawsey the MP for Rugby, and Chairman of the Commons and Lords RFC, added: "I congratulate all the clubs who entered this year's Parliamentary Community Awards and particularly the winners. The work done by the professional clubs and their partners to grow the game should be applauded, especially in a Rugby World Cup year, when the opportunity to leverage the interest in the game will be enormous."

The award winners were:

The Play Award supported by the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group

Winner - Bristol Rugby - Eagle Project
Highly Commended - Northampton Saints - Elite Insurance 7s series

The BreakThru Award supported by BT Sport

Winner - GET ONSIDE! - Saracens
Highly Commended - Stickability - Bath Rugby Foundation

Community Champion Award supported by Land Rover

Winner - Jeremy Bristoe - Witney Wolves RUFC nominated by London Welsh
Highly Commended - Eric Barker - Leicester Tigers Volunteer