Hampshire RFU Honda Volunteer Awards 2025 Celebrated 

The Hampshire RFU marked a joyous evening of recognition as more than 80 guests gathered to honour the outstanding dedication of volunteers across the county.

The prestigious Honda Volunteer Awards, supported by England Rugby’s national Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme, received over 100 nominations from clubs throughout Hampshire.

Hosted at Havant RFC, the ceremony brought together volunteers, club officials and County representatives to enjoy food and festivities celebrating grassroots rugby’s unsung heroes.

A total of three main award categories were honoured:

  • Unsung Hero – Hannah Avoth – Ellingham and Ringwood RFC
  • Connecting the Community – Joshua Williamson – Farnbourgh RFC
  • Game for All – Jordan Coffin and Alan Day – Millbrook RFC

Each category represents a vital aspect of volunteer contributions:

– the Unsung Hero acknowledges those working tirelessly behind the scenes;

– Game for All rewards innovation in making rugby more accessible;

– Connecting the Community celebrates those who bring clubs into closer community alignment.

At the ceremony, we were also able to announce that Hampshire were selected with 2 winner nominations to progress to the national stage, where finalists will be invited to the Honda Volunteer of the Year Gala evening at Twickenham this August.

Millbrook RFC – Jordan Coffin and Alan Day (Game for All) and Farnborough RFC – Josh Williamson (Connecting the Community) are awarded this honour.

Hampshire RFU’s continued partnership with Honda and England Rugby ensures the invaluable contributions of its volunteers receive the attention and recognition they richly deserve.

Hampshire RFU Appoints New Board to Lead County Rugby into the Future

Hampshire RFU has taken a significant step forward in its modernisation journey with the appointment of a new Management Board, following an open and inclusive recruitment process completed in May 2025.

The restructure, underpinned by new governance rules approved earlier this year, reflects Hampshire RFU’s ambition to become a more agile, strategic, and responsive governing body for the county’s clubs, nearly 2,000 volunteers and 11,700+ players.

The recruitment process began in early 2025, with public advertisements and open applications for all Board roles. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed by a panel of senior HRFU officials. This new Board, under the transitional provisions of the newly adopted rules, will start to plan for the new season, and will be formally ratified by member clubs at the Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2025.

Meet the New Hampshire RFU Board
• President: Gary Self

• Chair: Neil McRoberts

• Director of Finance, Audit & Risk: Stefan Hargrave

• Director of Compliance: Sarah Whatmore

• Director of People: Hannah Avoth

• Director of Adult Rugby: Rob Matthews

• Director of Youth Rugby: Laura Self

• Director of Club Investment: George Winch

• Club Representatives: Nick Whittle and Wayne Hausen

• RFU Council Rep: Terry Burwell

The new Directors bring a blend of rugby experience, governance capability, and professional expertise from sectors such as finance, safeguarding, HR, education, and community sport. The process also presented an opportunity for Youth Rugby to be supported by a Deputy Director, Sarah Jane-Brown, who will work closely with Laura Self in overseeing and developing the 8,000 registered youth players across Hampshire.

Strategic Focus for 2025/26
The newly appointed Board is now developing high-level strategic plans for the 2025/26 season. Each Director will present their vision and priorities at the AGM in July, ensuring transparency and alignment across all areas of the game, from youth, transition, adult retention, to safeguarding, volunteer development, and club funding.

Incoming Chair Neil McRoberts commented:
“This marks a fresh chapter for Hampshire Rugby. We have assembled a highly capable team who are ready to listen, lead, and work with our clubs to shape a thriving future for rugby in this county. Our goal is clear: to support participation, strengthen community clubs, and uphold the values of the game we all love.”

What’s Next?
Hampshire RFU’s AGM will be held on Wednesday 16th July 2025, where member clubs will ratify the Board and review plans for the year ahead. Further communications and directorate updates will follow in the lead-up to the 2025/26 season.

 

Hampshire Coaching Conference 2025

Hampshire RFU are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for the County Coaching Conference 2025 on July 6th at Totton College.

Full details of the event, including booking for yourself or club, can be found here.

Joining our conference headliner, Simon Middleton, will be Bath Rugby! As Hampshire’s PDG pathway for boys rugby, Bath PDG coaches will be delivering an afternoon session on conditioned games to support player development, with plenty of opportunities for delegates to question and take away ideas for their own sessions, whatever the age group they coach!

We are also pleased to confirm that a workshop for SEND in rugby is also planned – supporting coaches to adapt to the ever growing needs of our players.

Don’t forget, Hampshire clubs can get 5% off per bookings of 5-9 coaches or 10% per booking for 10+ coaches – payment must be received by 15th June 2025.

 

Hampshire Rugby Fundraising for MNDA – Join Us!

The power of rugby beyond the pitch: Cycle, run, walk, drive to any or all of the 34 Hampshire rugby clubs between 14 – 22 June 2025.

Take a photo and tag on social media using #HampshireRugby4MND

Why?

Each year on 21 June the MND Association joins with the wider MND community around the world to mark Global MND Awareness Day.

On Global MND Awareness Day, the MND Association, our branches, groups, volunteers, supporters and staff join forces with our peers across the world to honour our remarkable community. We acknowledge people living with MND and their carers, and remember those who have died from the disease.

For MND carers every day is the longest day.

I’m happy to chat through fundraising ideas—please reach out if you’d like to discuss. So far, suggestions have included hikes, beer buses, cycle rides, horse rides, and using the event’s visibility to launch a walking rugby programme. No idea is a bad idea! We’re currently working on a plan (for 15th June) where four clubs will hike to Winchester RFC and celebrate with some well-earned refreshment in the city’s fantastic hostelries.

Looking forward to seeing how we can make this a big success together.

Best regards,
Tristan
Chair, Romsey RFC

 

Impact 25 Connecting Communities: WI Opportunity

As we count down to the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year, we’re offering a fresh opportunity for your club to engage with the WI’s in your area and welcome more women into your community.

The Impact25 Connecting Communities Programme is all about creating opportunities for women to connect, get active, and feel part of their local rugby club, even if they’re not ready to take up the game. The WI Federation in your area is keen to work with local Rugby Clubs, offering an opportunity for you to open your doors to a whole new audience and showcase your club as a hub for community activity.

We know not everyone is ready to jump straight into Walking Rugby or fitness sessions, that’s why the programme encourages clubs to develop activities in partnership with WI members. Across the country, clubs have been hosting:

  • Film Club nights
  • Gardening projects in the grounds
  • Social events – coffee mornings, quiz nights, and virtual meetups to bring people together.
  • Training – via the WI Learning Hub and joining Club members for joint sessions

These activities attract a diverse range of women, including WI members, and offer a great way to introduce them to the welcoming environment of your club. Of course, we are also encouraging WI’s to consider outdoor activities too – check out this video of how the community have come together at Amesbury Rugby Club: https://youtu.be/QqQgPBcDjQg

If you are interested in developing an activity tailored to women in your local community, you can contact your Local WI Federation representative directly, or the dedicated NFWI Project Coordinator – details of each are copied below and into this email for ease.

Hampshire Federation – Barbara George – barbarageorge@hampshirewi.org.uk

NFWI Project Coordinator = Rachel Richards – wirugby@nfwi.org.uk Tel. 0161 5230614

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Rachel at the NFWI.

Hampshire RFU January Newsletter Now Available

Happy New Year from everyone at Hampshire RFU!

Our January 2025 Newsletter is now available, featuring updates, key dates, and valuable information for clubs and volunteers across the county.

Read the digital version of the newsletter here: Hampshire RFU January Newsletter

This edition contains information on; Upcoming Hampshire age grade festivals, Club development opportunities, Safeguarding conference 2025, Volunteer recognition awards – Conker and Honda, Coaching development opportunities, Bath PDG nominations (U15 and U17 boys), Club Hampshire fixtures for 2025, Match postponement procedures.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to growing the game in Hampshire!

Young Match Officials Programme Takes Off

Take up the Whistle!

Trojans FC recently piloted the ‘Engage’ stage of Hampshire RFU’s and HRR’s Young Match Officials (YMO) programme, and it was a fantastic success. The session welcomed 21 enthusiastic attendees, including a mix of mums and players from U14 to seniors, who all took part in the RFU’s “Take up the Whistle” course.

Supported by two experienced Trojans referees and club coaches, the participants enjoyed a fun and supportive environment. A highlight of the day was the funky new whistles each participant received, which added to the excitement as they grew more confident while officiating small-sided games.

The next step for Trojans FC is to host the RFU “Intro to Refereeing” course, where U14-U18 participants will receive a Hampshire Rugby Referees / Hampshire RFU t-shirt as part of the YMO programme.

If your club is interested in getting involved, please contact Hampshire RFU at hampshirerugby@yahoo.co.uk.

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