North East Volunteers are Magic
In order to acknowledge the hard work and support that people provide - unpaid - to the sport of Rugby League, the RFL annually recognise and reward their efforts through the Volunteer Award Scheme.
The Awards included 'Volunteer of the Year', 'Young Volunteer of the Year', 'Volunteer Coordinator of the Year' and 'Coach of the Year'. There is also a National Award for 'Unsung Hero - a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Rugby League over sustained period of time.'
The process involves Regional winners who are then forwarded to the National Awards where all winners (plus a guest) will be treated to a VIP day out at the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final.
The North East nominations have now been received and the winners selected. All nominees and winners received two weekend passes to Murrayfield Magic for 1 and 2 May.
In addition the winners will attend pre-match hospitality at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead and be presented with their awards at the Gateshead Thunder v Swinton Lions game on Sunday 6 June.
A huge Congratulations is extended to all nominations who this year included;
- Michael Colman - Peterlee Pumas
- Jeff Ball - Cramlington Rockets
- Sandra Taylor - Jarrow Vikings
- Steven Beaty (Snr) - Cramlington Rockets
- Ken Sykes - Whitley Bay Barbarians
- Thomas Brewster - Durham University
- Karl Brandt - Northumbria University
- Mark Sowerby - Durham Tigers
- Graeme Neighbour - Gateshead Thunder
The winners for the 2010 North East Awards are as follows;
- Volunteer of the Year - Lynn Redshaw, Whitley Bay Barbarians
- Young Volunteer of the Year - Gemma Taylor, Jarrow Vikings
- Volunteer Coordinator of the Year - Phil Selby, Durham Tigers
- Coach of the Year - Donna Barham, Whitley Bay Barbarians
The North East have also forwarded Neil Coombs (Gateshead Thunder) for the Unsung Hero Award.
Jade Mackie, Youth Volunteer Coordinator stated 'I would like to thank all the North East volunteers for their continued hard work, commitment and dedication to Rugby League throughout the region. The Volunteer Award nominations have significantly increased in 2010 and I feel we have enough quality volunteers in the Region to improve in 2011.'
For any further information on volunteering please visit the Volunteering section of the website or contact Jade Mackie, Youth Volunteer Coordinator, jade.mackie@rfl.uk.com, 0191 477 7773 or 07595520178.