Volunteers rewarded at South West Leadership Academy celebration evening
Mar
20 volunteers, mentors, and invited guests from the South and South West will attend a Leadership Academy Celebration & Review event tomorrow (Friday) at Gloucester Rugby ahead of England’s Under 20s clash against Ireland.
The invited guests from clubs such as Clifton, Stroud and Romsey will be presented with their certificates by the Rugby Football Union’s Community Rugby Chairman John Owen before a Club Development Workshop and a review of the Leadership Academy.
The Leadership Academy covers all Clubs and CBs in the area from which delegates are being sought. To date approximately 100 delegates have completed the programme in the Midlands and South West areas.
The RFU’s CB Volunteer Manager Carole Thelwall-Jones, said: "2007/08 has been another great year for the Leadership Academy across the South and South West. The eleven candidates who have completed the programme this year demonstrated their commitment to the future of their clubs. I'm delighted these volunteers have worked so well together to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the game.
"All these valued volunteers invested their time in the programme, attending an evening launch to discuss their training needs, a one-day Leadership workshop and numerous 'challenge and support' group meetings. I'm delighted that over 90% of candidates would recommend the Leadership Academy to others.
"Sheridan Smith from Clifton RFC and Steve Keates from North Dorset RFC, have been brilliant mentors to the groups. Their wealth of practical experience and positive thinking has provided tremendous support to the candidates. Under their mentorship both Challenge and Support groups have covered a range of topics - funding, facilities, whole club development, health & safety, volunteers and more. Equipped with this knowledge and confidence, I firmly believe these volunteers will lead their clubs to a brighter future."
The South West Leadership Academy Manager, Simon Collyer-Bristow, already has plans underway for the 2008/09 season. He is seeking nominations to run a group in Cornwall and Devon and a more central group covering Berkshire, Dorset & Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset.
South and South West Leadership Volunteers
Roger Bealing Clifton RFC
Lloyd Williams Cirencester RFC
Paul Kite Bristol Society of Referees
Ian Le Petit Barton Hill RFC
Rob Shipton Stroud RFC
Chris Davis Weymouth RFC
Glyn Arnold Weymouth RFC
Paul Simons Corsham RFC
Brian Challis Winchester RFC
Danny Simpson Romsey RFC
