The Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards is a nationwide initiative that gives anyone involved in rugby the opportunity to nominate a volunteer at a grassroots rugby club, or wider family, who they think deserves recognition for their commitment to the game over the past 12 months.

We nominated Nev. We nominated Nev last year too however the EC Awards unfortunately didn't go ahead, so we are delighted that on Saturday Nev received an emailed invitation to a celebratory event taking place at Shelford Rugby Club on Saturday 13th May.

Nev has accepted his invitation to attend where there will be presentations made to all the nominated volunteers, and an announcement made of the volunteers shortlisted to be put forward for the National Awards event.

Nev, by his very own admittance, is a very humble person and has kept this quiet. I wanted however to make sure the squirrel got well and truly out of the bag (which Nev has agreed to!) so members, players, coaches, and other volunteers can join the Exec committee in congratulating Nev and wishing him the very best of luck on the evening. Although none of his work is done for recognition, we really do hope he becomes one of the shortlisted few for the National awards later in the year.

The following are just some of the reasons we think Nev is so deserving of this recognition: -

Above and beyond to contribute positively
Secretary: “Nev spends hours-upon-hours behind the scenes working with a can-do dedication, almost single-handedly organising an army of volunteers to sustain our Y&M success. Prominent on the Exec Committee, Nev always submits meeting reports in advance, with spreadsheets, and is a vocal safeguarding, first aid and coach training advocate. Nev is also our go-to person on all matters electrical, ICT and GMS, gathering record membership funds”.
Chairman: “The personification of everything that is good about rugby and what the sport should represent, Nev involves everyone without fear or prejudice; he does what is right and he does it with a smile and unending good humour. The link between the juniors and seniors particularly this season has been great for player integration. If the world had more Nev’s it would be a better place, and everyone would want to play rugby”.
President: “Nev lives and breathes the core values in everything he does. Kind and unassuming, Nev will do anything for the club, never looking for recognition from the substantial time and hard work he puts in. His volunteer activities have raised significant funds (approaching six figures), ploughed back to secure a vibrant and successful Y&M section”.

Impact on the club and members
A full-time electrician, Nev is at the clubhouse every Saturday and Sunday with his wife Stacey, also a superb parent volunteer, both running the kit shop; they make a great team.
Looking to role succession, Nev successfully gained a place on the Mitsubishi Leadership programme.
Nev has served as a volunteer for many years as our Y&M Chairman, Norfolk Youth Representative and Kingswood Festival Lead. His enthusiasm and dedication deserve recognition for this season in particular as he’s taken the difficult decision to step down from organising the Kingswood Mini festival, and Mini Chair role, earmarking and mentoring his successor with direction and support.
He does school visits, holding 2 school tag competitions this season. The Leicester Tigers Prima Cup and Kingswood Mini-Rugby Festivals are held at Holt, the latter over two weekends at Easter has been enormously successful for 7 years, bringing community clubs from all over Eastern England. Last time Nev brought 89 teams from 12 clubs, 18 buses, 216 fixtures over 15 mini’s pitches, and 872 children eating 343 pre-ordered meals! So much to single-handedly organise and yet he never stresses about the responsibility.

Additional supporting information
The Rugby Club Magazine June Issue, Nev's words last year: “I took my son to Holt RFC aged 5 and was asked to coach the U6`s; he is now playing for the U15’s. Eventually I found myself in various roles covering Admin, Mini Chair, Youth Chair, Director of Junior Rugby and others, and naturally much of my focus went away from coaching. I still help but more in a team management role, which I enjoy. Rugby has taught me many great lessons in life but one thing I love is that it offers everyone a friendly level playing field irrespective of your background”.

Nev - We thank you!