Win off the field as well!

There are any number of awards out there which recognise of sporting achievement or the contribution of volunteers - and its always worth putting in an application or two because these awards not only benefit the winners, but also give great positive publicity to the game as well.

Often they are organised by local newspapers thus guaranteing great local coverage. The competition can be stiff at times, but even getting onto the shortlist can be a valuable boost to a club. It can take a few goes before taking the top spot, but its worth keeping at it. Welwyn have been there or thereabouts in the Welwyn-Hatfield sports awards for some years but this year finally broke through with the "Club of the Year" title, as well as getting short-list spots in three other categories.

National bodies like the RFU also run award schemes. These can appear quite daunting - surely, you may think, there are bigger clubs out there with better facilities? How can we compete?

Well, the answer is that you can - as Letchworth's U17 coach Joe Randall just found out when he picked up the RFU's Young Volunteer award a week ago.

The key thing is that you to be in these award to win them. Don't be shy, don't hold back. Take the latest initiatve from the RFU - the President's XV. £10,000 of prizes in 15 different cataegories. Surely every club has something to be proud of that deserves a nomination? Similarly there should be a women's or girls' rugby nomination in pretty much every category of the Herts Sports Awards - take a look today and get your entry in!

So many people are doing such great jobs in clubs across the county - but we never hear about it. Don't be shy about you achievements - tell the world and, like Welyn and Joe, win the recognition you deserve!