Hudgell Solicitors is once again providing thousands of pounds worth of funding to sporting teams for sports kits and equipment for the entire rugby league family including the women’s game, wheelchair rugby league, and disability rugby league.
Established in 2021, the Hudgells Community Awards have become a significant opportunity for Rugby League’s unsung heroes such as volunteers, coaches, community club administrators, referees, and young people in our game to receive the recognition they deserve for the tireless work they do in the community.
For the third year in a row and in partnership with Hull KR, Hudgells are asking the local community to nominate outstanding individuals for awards in 2024.
Four winners will each receive a cash prize of £1,000 to be spent on kit and equipment for their club, and they will also be presented with their award at the Hull KR v Salford Red Devils fixture on Friday 30th August, with kick-off at 8 pm at Sewell Group Craven Park. In addition, they will be invited to enjoy the club’s corporate hospitality, alongside a guest.
There are four nomination categories in the Hull KR Community Awards 2024 presented by Hudgell Solicitors and these are the qualities that we’re looking for to crown this year’s winners:
- Volunteer of the Year: A person who has provided exceptional service to the game of Rugby League and made a measurable difference in their community by going ‘above and beyond’ to foster participation and inclusivity.
- Rugby League Community Club of The Year: We’re looking for a club that has enhanced participation and enjoyment as well as demonstrating inclusivity. The club is recognised as an integral part of their local community introducing new players to the sport and retaining members/volunteers and the support of your members and volunteers.
- Women In League: An outstanding female advocate for the advancement of women in league. The winner will have encouraged more girls and women to participate in the game or been integral to the successful running and growth of the club.
- Young Person of The Year: Anyone under the age of 25 who is volunteering for or playing with a club or a school team and making a positive contribution to their team, club or wider community.
Nominate Your 2024 Rugby League Hero
‘Starting blocks for younger generations’
Helen Saunders, Head of Marketing at Hudgell Solicitors, says the effects of last year’s awards have had a big impact. She said
“There were four winners which meant £4,000 was spent on kit and training equipment in grassroots clubs.
“We received more than a hundred nominations last year, recognising the endless hard work of community clubs and individuals who provide the starting blocks for younger generations. Each year, the awards get bigger and bigger as the word spreads.
“We want to see that continue and we want to let those communities know that all their hard work in supporting young people in the sport is recognised. It’s certainly a big ‘thank you!’
“Giving back to communities has been part of our work at Hudgells for the last 27 years. It is so important that we continue to acknowledge and recognise the positive impact the commitment and dedication of our volunteers and players have on the game, as they are the foundations the sport is built upon.
How to enter
Anyone can submit a nomination by completing the community awards nomination form here
Nominations will be reviewed by representatives from the RFL, Hull KR, Hull KR Foundation, and Hudgell Solicitors who make up the judging panel.
So, if there’s an unsung ‘hero’ at your club or team let us know and help get them the recognition they deserve as well as the opportunity to boost the club’s funding.
Deadline
The deadline for nominations is Friday 23rd August 12pm. Judging will take place on the same day and winners will be contacted over the weekend of the 23rd – 25th of August. Winners will be invited to the Hull KR versus Salford Red Devils on Friday 30th August and presented with their awards at a half-time ceremony.
The 2024 winners :
Women In League
Nikki Johnson
Nikki is described ‘’as the glue that holds our club together’’. Nikki runs the facilities at Hull Wyke, including the bar area, gym, café and changing rooms. She ensures everyone is well fed and watered and our facilities are open when required by our ever -expanding club. She runs and organise each age groups presentation evening, ensuring all their specific needs are met.
Our new facilities are hired out as part of us being an RFL Wellbeing Hub which is possible because of Nikki. This year she successfully ran another event about healthy eating and exercise alongside our local council offer free meals and opening the facilities to try sports, and have a fun free day out with rides and climbing experiences. Without Nikki our club would not have thrived in the way it has. Half of what we do and offer would not be possible either.
Community Club of the Year
Winner Myton Warriors
Myton has gone from strength to strength in the last few years building teams across all age groups as well as recently building a girls section. Myton Warriors ARLC has established itself as a shining example of what a community sports club can achieve, thanks to its comprehensive structure, inclusive ethos, and impressive on-field success. The club’s remarkable transformation this year, highlighted by the victories of its boys’ under-13s and under-16s teams in their respective finals at Craven Park, is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that permeate every level of the organization. At the heart of Myton Warriors’ success is its commitment to inclusivity and the development of rugby league talent at all levels.
Young Person Of The Year
Jack Brown
Our 7 year old, Jack is our little super hero, he is a massive Hull KR fan and plays for Skirlaugh Rugby club u7s. Last year his world was turned upside down when his dad and coach was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Jack was feeling scared about what may happen and wanted to raised money to help people like his daddy who are fighting this disease. He said he would like to do a run and ask people to sponsor him £1, in his words ‘imagine if 100 people sponsored me daddy, we would raise £100.’
We supported Jack in arranging a 20km run across July, spanning 4 dates. He got his school and rugby club involved and really brought the community together, inspiring hundreds of people to turn up and run with him, raising awareness and vital funds. He recieved messages of support from Kev Sinfield and even ran with Hull KR Coach Willie Peters! He turned a negative into a positive and showed everyone what a difference a small idea can make. He raised £5,417.15 for the MND Association charity and believe he deserves being nominated for young person of the year!
Volunteer of The Year
The 2024 Hudgell Solicitors Community Award Winner for The Volunteer of The Year is….
Sam Smith
Sam has been coaching youth rugby since the age of 19 after he had an injury from playing he’s now 36, he has coached numerous kids throughout the ages some who are now in hull fc and hull kr academy. Since coaching at hull dockers he has given the kids a number of opportunities such as playing at Headingley before a war of roses taken them to Butlins, the chance to be ascots at numerous games including England v Jamaica as well as other super league games.
Not only does he make opportunities like this happen he’s constantly trying to make our home ground better to the point he made our home ground at Eastmount have solid barriers in place which, him and a few other parents put up themselves over a weekend because our pitch kept getting vandalised by motorbikes. . He openly gives up his time and dedicates endless hours organising fixtures, presentations and team bonding sessions. One of his proudest moments to date was having one of his players sign their first scholarship for Hull Kingston Rovers.