Hampshire RFU AGM and Awards 2026: Celebrating a Year of Progress and Achievement
While much of the country settled down to watch England take on Argentina, more than 70 club representatives, volunteers, players and award winners gathered at Romsey RFC for Hampshire RFU’s 2026 Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening.
The evening combined the formal business of the Union with a celebration of another outstanding year for rugby across Hampshire, recognising the achievements of our clubs, representative players, volunteers and coaches who continue to make rugby thrive across the county.
Members unanimously approved both the AGM and AFGM minutes before reflecting on a year that has seen Hampshire continue to deliver against its 2025-2028 Strategy – Building a Stronger Future Together.
Following two years of review, modernisation and laying stronger foundations, the evening highlighted encouraging progress across each of the counties three strategic missions, seeing more people playing rugby across Hampshire, investment into clubs increasing, and volunteers receiving greater support and recognition.
Hampshire RFU’s recently published it’s Annual Report, which reflects on the progress made during the first year of the strategy while openly acknowledging the challenges that remain around player retention, club sustainability and volunteer recruitment.
Read the Annual Report here
Reflecting on the evening, Hampshire RFU Chair Neil McRoberts said:
“After a two-year journey of review, modernisation and building strong foundations, Hampshire has made a strong start in the first year of our strategy. More players, more investment into clubs and greater support and recognition for volunteers are clear signs of progress. But this is just the beginning as we continue to take on the challenges of player retention, club sustainability, and recruiting and supporting the volunteers who make our game possible.”
Celebrating Hampshire Rugby
Following the AGM, attention turned to celebrating the people and clubs who have made the past season so memorable.
Hosted by Hampshire RFU President Gary Self, the Hampshire RFU Awards recognised success from every corner of the game, from league champions and representative honours through to volunteers, coaches and clubs making an outstanding contribution to rugby in Hampshire.
This year’s awards marked two important milestones.
For the first time, the Age Grade Coach of the Year and Peter Ebbs Senior Coach of the Year awards were presented as part of the Hampshire RFU Awards, bringing every major county honour together under one roof.
The evening also saw the introduction of two new representative rugby awards.
The Hannan and Moore U17 Trophy was introduced in honour of the first coaches to lead Hampshire’s U17 Boys representative programme. Recognising players at a pivotal point in their rugby journey as they transition towards Colts rugby, the award celebrates commitment, leadership and character that define Hampshire representative rugby.
The Ed Neville U18 Girls Award, named after Past President Ed Neville, recognises his longstanding commitment to and passionate support of women’s and girls’ rugby in Hampshire. The award celebrates exceptional talent, commitment and performance throughout the U18 Girls representative programme while recognising the attitude and dedication that inspire those around them.
Award Winners
Adult Male League & Cup Winners
| Competition | Winner |
| Counties 1 Hampshire Champions (NEWS Challenge Trophy) | Bognor RFC |
| Counties 2 Hampshire Champions (ECHO Cup) | Farnham II |
| Counties 3 Hampshire Champions (PINNOCK Cup) | Ventnor RFC |
| Counties 4 Hampshire Champions | Fawley RFC |
| Counties 5 Hampshire Champions | Sandown & Shanklin II |
| Counties 6 South Champions | Fareham Heathens II |
| Counties 6 North Champions | Farnborough RFC |
| Veterans Cup Winners | Tottonians RFC |
| Veterans Plate Winners | Portsmouth RFC |
| Counties 1 & 2 Cup Winners | Basingstoke RFC |
| Counties 3 & 4 Cup Winners | Farnborough RFC |
| Counties 3 & 4 Reserve Cup Winners | Tottonians RFC |
Representative Rugby Awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
| Brian Short Memorial Trophy | Evie Smith | Portsmouth RFC |
| Robbie Keast U16 Girls Award | Imogen Lane | Trojans FC |
| Hannan and Moore U17 Trophy (Inaugural Winner) | Thomas Read | Havant RFC |
| Robbie Keast U18 Boys Award | George Musselwhite | Havant RFC |
| Ed Neville U18 Girls Award (Inaugural Winner) | Jessica Chivers | Trojans FC |
| John Sneezum U20 Captain’s Tankard | Cameron Davey | Havant RFC |
| FMT Bunney Trophy – Senior Men’s Bill Beaumont Player of the Year | Karter Whittock | Petersfield RFC |
| Senior Women’s Gill Burns Player of the Year | Sophie Slimm | Millbrook RFC |
Senior Men’s Bill Beaumont County Champions
A special presentation recognised the outstanding achievements of Hampshire’s Senior Men’s representative squad, crowned Bill Beaumont Division 3 County Champions following victory at Allianz Stadium.
The success reflected a new era for representative rugby in Hampshire, with more clubs contributing players than ever before. Representatives from the following clubs were recognised on the evening:
Alton, Andover, Ellingham & Ringwood, Gosport & Fareham, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Sandown & Shanklin, Tottonians, Trojans, Ventnor and Winchester.
Thank You to Our Leavers
Hampshire RFU also recognised a number of volunteers whose commitment and dedication have helped shape rugby across the county.
| Volunteer | Contribution |
| David Dunn | Manager of Representative Rugby |
| Josh Brown | Representative Rugby Age Grade Manager |
| Chris Budden | Adult Competitions |
| Alison Denmead | U18 Girls Manager |
| Luke Wilson | U18 Girls Coach |
| Hannah Roberts | U18 Girls Coach |
| Renny Smith | U18 Girls Coach |
| Paul Hillian | U20 Head Coach |
| Andy Duncombe | U20 Coach |
| Jack Phillips | U20 Coach |
| Jon | U20 Coach |
| Lynne Piddington | U15/U16 Competition Organiser |
| Ian Wells | U18 Competition Organiser |
Thank you all for the time, passion and expertise you have given to rugby in Hampshire.
Hampshire RFU Awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
| Special Recognition | Jessica Sims, Ophelia Cleugh, Sophie Hargrave | Trojans FC |
| Volunteer of the Year | Matt Davis | Hampshire Representative Rugby |
| Age Grade Coach of the Year | Stefan Hargrave | Trojans FC |
| Peter Ebbs Senior Coach of the Year | Rudi Kochanowski | Trojans RFC & Hampshire Senior Men |
| Fundraiser of the Year | Sandown & Shanklin RFC | Sandown & Shanklin RFC |
| Club of the Year | Romsey RFC | Romsey RFC |
| Hampshire RFU President’s Award | Jed Stone | United Services Portsmouth RFC |
The evening was a fitting celebration of everything that makes rugby in Hampshire special. From clubs achieving success on the field to volunteers giving thousands of hours behind the scenes, every award reflected the strength of our rugby community and our shared commitment to Building a Stronger Future Together.
Congratulations to every winner, nominee and volunteer recognised throughout the evening, and thank you to every club, player, coach, referee and volunteer who continues to make rugby thrive across Hampshire.
Photo gallery from the Hampshire RFU AGM and Awards Evening below.
