FYB’s Grassroots Rugby Heroes 2021

Each year, we ask you to nominate your club’s Grassroots Rugby Hero and this year we have had some real crackers!

We wanted to thank everyone who is involved at their club, it can be a thankless task and we salute you.

James Bliss – Sharnbrook & Colworth RFC

Our first of our Grassroots Rugby Hero is James Bliss from Sharnbrook and Colworth Rugby Club.

“This season he suffered a major injury whilst playing for and helping out another club. The injury means he can no longer play. within weeks he was back with us coaching. Personally he helped me through an injury only weeks later that means I can no longer play. And has since constantly been in contact to check how I am doing physically and mentally.

I’ve not been at the club long but this guy is part of the glue allowing the club to compete at its highest level for a good few years.”

Thank you James for everything you do for the game.

Simon Parley – Old Emanuel RFC

Our next Grassroots Rugby Hero is Simon Parley from @old_emanuel_rfc

“He’s a whirling ball of positive energy who’s been instrumental in helping OERFC finally securing a new ground last month. (which in SWLondon is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow !!!!)

He’s played at all levels for the club, brought in much needed sponsorship, is Chair of minis & youth, is championing a new player development pathway between our flourishing girls & womens section, runs the kids Halloween parties, club mascot days … the list goes on!

He one in a million & really deserves a whopping big thank you!!!”

Thank you Simon for everything you do for our sport!

Riley Taylor – Bo’ness RFC

Our next Hero is Riley Taylor from @boness_rugby_club…

“Riley Taylor who is 16. He has been supporting as a coach for the past 2 years and gives up every weekend to support the club. He then trains with the older academy children and always lends a hand to his peers.

Over the October holidays we held our first ever camp for the youth. Riley had an opportunity to play on the new Edinburgh Stadium and gave it up to support his local grass roots club.

While doing all this he supports his older brother who has a disability and is his rugby enabler and a young carer.

He is a shining example of what grassroots rugby is all about.”

Thank you Riley for everything you do for our game.

Beth Bone – Gravesend RFC

Our latest Grassroots Rugby Hero is Beth Bone from Gravesend Rugby Football Club…

“Beth fulfils a very long list of roles in our club including coaching our preschool team the GRFC Titans, Women’s Treasurer, GRFC Club Secretary, Vice Chair for M&Y – all whilst navigating the weird and wonderful world of GMS for the whole club! Of course this isn’t enough for Beth so she also coordinated the refurbishment and relaunch of our club shop in which all profits go straight to our Mini & Youth section.

Beth went above and beyond this year to try and organise a magical christmas party for the children of our club. When the current situation meant that it couldn’t go ahead she instead spent the morning delivering gifts to her much loved Titans.

After a lifetime of watching, rugby courtesy of her late Father, she gave it a go herself and was one of the players that walked out onto Rectory Field at GRFC this year (our club’s centenary year) as part of the first EVER Womens team to play a league fixture at GRFC.

We love Beth because she really does have the best interests of our club and everyone in it at heart. We really do appreciate what she does for us, our children, our team and our club. She is our Grassroots Rugby Hero!”

Thank you Beth for everything you do for our sport.

Adam Coombes – Veor RFC

Our latest Grassroots Rugby Hero is Adam Coombes from Veor RFC

“Adam is a perfect example of a clubman one of the first guys there on match day to set out the match day equipment & Also one of the people week In week out to take it in after the match.

Continuous work through the pandemic on helping improve the clubs facilities won a deserving clubman of the year award & his efforts deserve to be highlighted.”

Thank you for everything you do for our sport.

Matthew Haswell – Swanley RFC

Our next Grassroots Rugby Hero is Matthew Haswell from @swanleyrfc

“12 year old Matthew Haswell joined Swanley RFC’s youth team when it started back in 2018.

He is a committed player who has attended almost every training session and match for his team but his love for the sport and club goes beyond just training and playing.

He comes to all the senior men’s and women’s games throughout the season, home and away, cheering them on from the side lines, carrying water on for the players and is always ready to run on the kicking tee. He watches, learns, and engages with the players and for his continued help and support over the seasons, the men’s and women’s teams awarded him with senior playing shirts, which he wears with pride.

He is a shining example of what grassroots rugby is all about, what it can offer young people and what they can offer in return. Thank you Matthew from everyone at Swanley RFC.”

Thank you Matthew for everything your doing for your club.

Mark Innes – Ashford Barbarians RFC

Our latest Grassroots Rugby Hero is Mark Innes from Ashford Barbarians RFC …

“We are the luckiest club in Kent to have someone like Mark. Mark is the unsung hero of Ashford Baabaas from setting up training ground to running the line on match days.

Mark has the biggest heart and gives up his free time to do all the jobs no one’s sees . Mark also makes sure every player has clean kit on match days and keeps an eye on the the players welfare .

Mark is loved and the we would be lost without him . “

Thank you Mark for everything you do for our game.

A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated. We are really proud of you all.