Bristol Rugby have been announced as winners of the Community Initiative of the Year 2010 at the 5th Annual All-Party Parliamentary Rugby Citizenship Awards.
Bristol Rugby pipped Saracens, Bath Rugby and Northampton Saints to the top award after a panel of judges unanimously crowned their ‘Phoenix Project: Bright Sparks Programme’ as the winner. The four clubs battled for the title after being named as category winners in the first round.
‘Bright Sparks’ is a social inclusion programme that utilizes the highest quality rugby union skills, drills and games, with team building and leadership workshops. The aim is to attain rapport with, and re-engage designated young people from schools in high risk areas back into the educational process. Working in partnership with organisations such as, Avon Fire & Rescue Service, Avon & Somerset Police and SERCO Prisons, the programme provides young people with direct and tangible examples of how poor life choices will directly affect their lives.
The awards were judged by a panel including; Derek Wyatt MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group, Robert Walter MP, Treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Group, Mark McCafferty, CEO of Premier Rugby Ltd, Kevin Roberts, Editorial Director of SportBusiness Magazine and Alex MacGillivray, Senior Partner at Accountability.
The All-Party Parliamentary Rugby Citizenship Awards salute the commendable work that the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs carry out within their communities. The community schemes undertaken by clubs address four key areas: Grass Roots Participation, Health, Social Inclusion and Education.
Winners commended in the first round were also awarded on the night as follows;
Health Programme of the Year – Northampton Saints ‘Kick Smoking into Touch’.
Participation Programme of the Year – Saracens ‘Community Dance Programme’.
Social Inclusion Programme of the Year – Bristol Rugby ‘The Phoenix Project: Bright Sparks Programme’. Commendations to: Worcester Warriors ‘Worcestershire npower tag inclusive programme’.
Education programme of the Year – Bath Rugby ‘Language Through Sport’.