On Tuesday night Bath Rugby held their Foundation Awards at the Guild Hall in Bath to celebrate the success of young people and adults who have taken part in our many community projects this year.
The Foundation's initiatives include the delivery of rugby coaching to a cross-section of the community and educational and health projects, together with an active inclusion programme, which cares for those with disabilities. The Foundation also runs the highly successful 'Up and Unders' rugby club for toddlers. More recently, an Apprenticeship Scheme and a Bursary Scheme have been introduced, and the development of Girls and Ladies Rugby continues.Many children were nominated for awards for each project (see all results below) with all nominees receiving a medal and certificate with the winners being presented with a trophy.
These were presented by various guests including former Bath Rugby and British Lion player Matt Perry, Linda Donaldson of Geometry PR, Peter Keates of Zenith Logistics, Louise Harvey of St Johns Hospital and both Luke Dawson, Head of Marketing and Mike Pearce Vice President of EMEA of Herman Miller.
David Flatman, Bath Rugby and England International and Master of Ceremonies at the event said of the evening: "I think the awards went very well. It was a great night, really brilliantly organized by the community team. There were lots of smiling faces in the crowd, lots of proud parents, exhilarated children, a few tears and it was great fun. It was relaxed, the performances were all great and one or two of the kids I think gave acceptance run ups of the year. They flew up onto that stage and were loving it.....that's the idea."
Jimmy Deane, Community Foundation Manager was very excited about the evening: "It is a great opportunity to recognise all the young people, the teachers and adults in the area and more importantly, to say "well done" to everyone involved."
At the end of the event Charlotte Sacco and Caryl Thomas took all the food that was left to Julian House, the Shelter for the homeless in Bath. The Foundation never stops working with the local community.
For further information about the work of the Bath Rugby Community Foundation please contact: Jimmy Deane, Bath Rugby Community Foundation Manager on 07811 101468 or email jimmy.deane@bathrugby
Bath Rugby Community Foundation Award Winners and Nominees
Herman Miller Award
These pupils performed exceptionally in the newly-started Business Enterprise Programme with teenagers from St Augustine's College in Trowbridge.
Michael Farebrother (winner) Charlotte Emery, Nathan Burrows, Stephanie Peplar
Inclusion in Sport
The Foundation constantly works with young disabled people in special schools and mainstream schools across the region. The youngsters here at the awards have all excelled in sport and have been wonderful to work with.
Tim Curtis (winner) Fabian Viles, Rubie Taylor, Kieran Cunningham
Girls Development Squad
The charity has run a comprehensive girls programme across the region for a number of years, and the nominees have demonstrated an aptitude for rugby.
Claire Whittaker (winner) Emily Hull, Georgia Phillips
Teacher of the Year
Through the extensive number of Foundation projects, the staff work alongside a large number of committed and passionate teachers. This awards evening recognizes three wonderful examples of dedicated people, who all go above and beyond the call of duty to enable their students to reach their potential.
Dave Goucher (winner), Ally Lascelle, Kate Strugnell
Bath Community Player 2011
Many of Bath Rugby's players support and contribute to a number of community schemes. All three players put forward for the award have really made a positive impact on a number of young people as professional role models.
Ben Skirving (winner) Olly Barkley, Andy Beattie
Young Volunteer
The charity runs a bursary scheme for young students from local schools, which includes volunteering across a number of the Foundation projects. Participants also have the opportunity to gain qualifications such as RFU Coaching Awards.
Faith McEleny (winner) Ben Wicks, Bryony Exton, Emily Hunter, Emma Piercey, Evie Longshaw, Sheridan Clarke, Stephen Barber
Count on Bath
This is a personal finance programme for teenagers, aimed at teaching pupils money management skills. Topics include mortgages, interest rates, savings, investments and personal budgeting. Pupils nominated are from Briarwood School in Bristol.
Frank Lemoir (winner) Jamie Horril, Richard Fry, Ross Camern
Community Award
The Community Award is this year given to someone who currently works for a local charity, who has also volunteered for a number of other charities over the years.
Louise Harvey (St Johns Hospital, Bath)
Lifetime Achievement
The nominee for this award has worked tirelessly volunteering with young disabled people for a number of years. Her enthusiasm and passion is infectious and she is admired by many for her tremendous work within the local community.
Tanya Dagger
