Community Recognition & National Awards

The Scottish Rugby Community Recognition Awards programme is split into two sections: Regional (East, Caledonia Midlands, Caledonia North, Glasgow North, Glasgow South) and National.

The National Awards programme aims to recognise the performance contributions of players and coaches in the domestic game, alongside awarding those who have contributed to the wider game, both on and off the pitch.

Scottish Rugby is now seeking nominations for the three national award categories. They are:

Spirit of Rugby – apply HERE
Educator of the Season – apply HERE
Rugby Photograph of the Season – apply HERE

In addition, the winners from the regional Community Recognition Awards categories are shortlisted for the National equivalent of the award which they won. These are:

National Volunteer of the Season in Youth rugby sponsored by inspiresport
National Volunteer of the Season in Schools rugby sponsored by inspiresport
National Volunteer of the Season in Adult rugby sponsored by Tennent’s Lager
National Young Person’s Award sponsored by inspiresport
National Community Club of the Season sponsored by Tennent’s Lager
National Community Referee of the Season

There will also be a Men’s and Women’s Try of the Season award sponsored by Tennent’s Lager. This award is presented to the overall winner of the Tennent’s Try of the Month competition winner which runs throughout the season.

Additional performance based awards will be presented to:

Women’s Tennent’s National Leagues Player of the Season
Men’s Tennent’s National Leagues Player of the Season
Women’s Tennent’s Regional Leagues Player of the Season
Men’s Tennent’s National Leagues Player of the Season
Tennent’s National Leagues Match Official of the Season

Only three awards are open for nomination in the Scottish Rugby National Awards. Nominations will open shortly.

1. Scottish Rugby National Awards 2023 is open to all member clubs and societies of Scottish Rugby.
2. Nominations must be made for individuals who operate on a volunteer basis ie. are not employed by a club or society.
3. Nominations for the National Awards will close at midnight on Sunday 30 of April 2023.
4. Nominations must be made online via the relevant category JotForm application.
5. No entries received by post will be considered.
6. Multiple entries will be reviewed but only one entry per individual can be successful.
7. If nominating a young volunteer (U18), please ensure that the contact details supplied are for parents/guardians.
8. All nominated volunteers must agree to take part in publicity in connection with Scottish Rugby’s National Awards, unless otherwise stated by the nominated volunteer.
9. All applicants and participants in the awards agree that their personal data may be processed by Scottish Rugby.
10. Award winners will be presented with a prize of: trophy and a sponsor prize (if the award has a sponsor aligned to the category). No alternative or cash prizes will be available.
11. Finalists will be selected by a judging panel, comprised of Scottish Rugby Club Rugby Board and members of the Rugby Development Department.
12. Finalists will be invited to a National Awards ceremony in June 2023. Dates to be confirmed with finalists in due course.

So, what can you do to increase the chances of your nominee being successful?

• Make sure you read the criteria relating to your nomination in full as it contains all the details explaining what the judging panel will be looking for.
• Try not to make your nomination too short or too long. The judging panel needs lots of detail, just not too much. We recommend you aim for between about 250 and 500 words, excluding testimonials.
• Make it personal – give the judging panel a real sense of what this person or group of people are like, and how they have made a positive impact.
• Include real world testimonials from people who have benefitted from the good work the person or group you’re nominating have done.

Don’t forget, we’re here if you any questions. Contact us by email at [email protected]

The Community Recognition Awards are the annual domestic game awards programme, focusing on the on and off-field efforts of clubs and schools across Scotland over the course of the last year.

The nominations for 2023 have closed and awards have been announced.

Click HERE to read more.

Volunteer of the Season in Youth rugby sponsored by inspiresport, which recognises a volunteer that has gone above and beyond in youth club rugby to ensure young people are provided with the chance to play the game in a safe, fun and friendly environment.

Volunteer of the Season in Schools rugby sponsored by inspiresport will be presented to a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in school’s rugby to ensure young people are provided with the chance to play the game in a safe, fun and friendly environment.

Volunteer of the Season in Adult rugby sponsored by Tennent’s Lager, which credits a volunteer who has made a significant contribution to adult rugby, going above and beyond to provide rugby opportunities for all.

Young Person’s Award sponsored by inspiresport, recognises the contribution young people make in community rugby. The category is open to young people from 16 to 26 years of age who have made a significant impact in helping to develop opportunities for people to participate in rugby.

Community Club of the Season sponsored by Tennent’s Lager, will be awarded to a club which caters for the whole community, working tirelessly to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in a welcoming, safe and fun environment.

Community Referee of the Season will be presented to a Match Official who has made a significant contribution to the game and executed a high performance on the pitch.

An additional award will be presented to the Glasgow South region, The Adam Gray Memorial Award. This award was created in memory of former Scottish Rugby Board and Council member and Stewartry rugby stalwart Adam Gray, who passed away in March 2020. The award aims to recognise those who have shown an outstanding contribution to the game in the region.

Nominations are not live. The Community Recognition Awards will return in 2024.

Terms & Conditions will be available when applications are live in 2024.

So, what can you do to increase the chances of your nominee being successful?

• Make sure you read the criteria relating to your nomination in full as it contains all the details explaining what the judging panel will be looking for.
• Try not to make your nomination too short or too long. The judging panel needs lots of detail, just not too much. We recommend you aim for between about 250 and 500 words, excluding testimonials.
• Make it personal – give the judging panel a real sense of what this person or group of people are like, and how they have made a positive impact.
• Include real world testimonials from people who have benefitted from the good work the person or group you’re nominating have done.

Don’t forget, we’re here if you any questions. Contact us by email at [email protected]