After a difficult shortlisting process — reviewing just under 300 detailed submissions — Gallagher has revealed the 12 successful entries who will each receive a skills-sharpening session, full of professional tips and guidance, hosted by star players from their local Gallagher Premiership Rugby team.
The winners include:
- Crediton RFC - for growing its first girl’s rugby team into multiple squads that now boast over 100 regular girls and ladies players, from across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset;
- Cheddar Valley U10s - who were put forward by their coach Jon Wood, for exemplifying the values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship;
- Hucclecote and Painswick U12s - nominated by parent Denise Darlow-Joy, for their commitment, inclusivity, passion, energy and perseverance in overcoming adversity and embracing their merged team ‘Hucclewick’ in order to ensure they can always field enough players; and
- Northampton Outlaws - the only gay and inclusive LGBT club in the East Midlands, who will use the training session to welcome new players that have recently joined, after the club embarked on a major local recruitment campaign.
The full list of winners is as follows:
- Bath: Melksham Rugby U11s
- Bristol: Cheddar Valley U10s
- Exeter: Crediton RFC
- Gloucester: Hucclecote and Painswick U12s
- Harlequins: Warlingham RFC
- Leicester Tigers: Ilkeston U10s
- Newcastle Falcons: Darlington Mowdan Park U18 Girls
- Northampton Saints: Northampton Outlaws
- Sale Sharks: Lymm U15s
- Saracens: Harrow U14s
- Wasps: Kenliworth Ladies
- Worcester Warriors: Wolverhampton RUFC U12s
In addition to hosting 12 dedicated training sessions with Gallagher Premiership Rugby players and the winning clubs, the individuals who submitted each of the winning entries have also received two tickets on behalf of Gallagher to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final on 1 June 2019.
Throughout the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season, Gallagher is championing heroes of the game, shining a light on the individuals and groups within the wider rugby community that embody the spirt of rugby and help make it an inclusive and empowering sport.
This competition marks the latest celebration of the rugby community following the campaign’s launch in August where Gallagher asked each club to nominate two people who they felt best demonstrated their rugby family, resulting in 24 Gallagher Community Heroes, who embody the values and spirit of rugby. All 24 Gallagher Community Heroes had a hand in putting their vote forward for this competition, helping Gallagher identify the winning clubs.
With local teams and community clubs playing an invaluable role within the rugby family to help protect and grow the game, this is an opportunity for Gallagher and Premiership Rugby to congratulate them on their commitment to the sport, by delivering the ultimate prize of an exclusive training session with their own on-pitch heroes. The training sessions will be fulfilled from February to May 2019.
