Men’s Rugby Union

Sports Club of the Year

Chester Students’ Union

“Men’s Rugby Union can carry a negative image with regards to behaviour and our Men’s Rugby Union team was no exception resulting, at times, in disciplinaries and suspensions however this year they were awarded the CSU Sports of the Year. Men’s Rugby Union was awarded the prestigious award because they had gone above and beyond whilst changing the perceptions of Rugby Union at the University. Men’s Rugby Union is the club to aspire to at Chester Students’ Union through the impeccable health and safety record, attendance to student events, participation growth and sport development.

Men’s Rugby Union had raised £632.84 for Stroke Association a charity very close to their heart. The money was raised through bag packing and charity events. The charity events consisted of bake sales, raffles, and charity matches throughout the summer integrating the local community. Men’s Rugby Union are always thinking of new ideas to raise awareness and money for the Stroke Association. This year they all paid for the Stroke Association logo on the back of the playing tops to show their continued support they give to the charity. Please see in the supporting documentation official photo for the charity. During the year, a Rugby Union player was air lifted to hospital with a suspected broken spine. The players found the work of the Air Ambulance on the day of the accident lifesaving and have raised £100 for the Air Ambulance with more charity work over summer to pay back for the help and assistance Air Ambulance gave to the player.

Men’s Rugby Union have not only organised all the events for charity but always actively participated in STI testing who were 2nd most tested in the 98 teams at Chester Students’ Union. They assisted in mental wellbeing week wearing yellow laces in support of mental health. This was not all they were very active and assisted in the campaigns for saving student opportunities and NUS referendum. They always turned up 30 minutes early to every event just so they didn’t miss out. They have featured in many advertisement campaigns and really wanted to get the message out about Men’s Rugby Union including prospectus. Chester Students’ Union always had great feedback from external partners and university staff to say that Men’s Rugby Union was gentlemen. This led to the men being recognised to feature in a YouTube video for VW ‘Rally the World’. The video has now hit 144,000 views and the views are still rising every day. Check the video out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME1ZiB6ypA4.

Men’s Rugby Union has had a record breaking number of members this year with 65 students joining the club and a 75% attendance to training every week. They participated in ‘Give it a Go’ and had 5 new players from the new initiative whom were the top performers from the scheme launched new this year. The sustainability is very high for Men’s Rugby Union which shows they are offering the best student experience.

You can’t have a strong club without a strong committee and the committee have overcome many problems throughout the year including dealing with strong personalities who didn’t support the behavioural policy and the vision of winning club of the year. They overcame and dealt with tough situations but always kept decorum and democracy.

They have integrated with the community this year with links with Chester Rugby Club. They have assisted in junior training and camps for young aspiring rugby players. This was without any resources or rewards but to help improve rugby at grassroots level. The link with Chester Rugby club has enabled them to train with a national level player which has developed the 1st team squad leading their promotion. The team has never had a reliable coach and identified this last year as a weakness so they were pro-active and approached Chester Rugby Club to arrange a partnership deal to gain coaches at training and BUCS matches. This has led to Men’s Rugby Union gaining 2 assistant coaches and 1 head coach. This has improved performance as Men’s Rugby 1st team were promoted this year. The remaining spends were used in assisting with fundraising and campaigns but improving rugby development.

Men’s Rugby Union raised approx. £700 through sponsorship this year with Custom House and Odyssey Learning Project this has enabled them to award prizes to players’ throughout the year for improvements and dedication to Men’s Rugby Union.

Chester Students’ Union has recognised Men’s Rugby Union for all their hard work but we would like NUS to recognise that you can change people perceptions. Men’s Rugby Union engagement with Student Union and students has allowed them to raise awareness and develop community relationships.”

Nominated by Sarah Latham, Students’ Union Officer

What the judges said…

“The focus on the attitude and behaviours of members and being an active part of the community here is great. The use of ‘give it a go’ sessions to encourage new players and welcome new members is also effective, and the active involvement in charity work impressive.” Alec McKenzie, Endsleigh