D of E

What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The DofE programme is the world’s leading achievement award for young people, recognised by employers and universities alike. 
Eccles RFC was the first rugby club in the country to start the DofE programme. The scheme was established in honour of Christopher Tickle who was posthumously awarded the DofE Gold Award by HRH Prince Phillip in 2010. The Since 2011, 48 of the club’s young people have achieved the prestigious DofE Gold Award, over 60 have achieved Silver and over 100 have achieved Bronze awards. This remarkable success is a testament to the hard work and persistence of our participants and our DofE volunteer leaders. 

The club is proud of its 10-year association with the DofE Award scheme and believes in its ethos of inspiring commitment, personal development and an adventurous spirit in young people, helping them gain essential skills, experience, confidence and resilience to successfully overcome anything life throws their way. 

Achieving a DofE award is an adventure from beginning to end and is a recognition of your self-determination to keep going to reach goals. A DofE Award on your CV is a valuable asset to your future and sends a clear signal to colleges, universitites and employers you are a motivated individual with staying power.    

The principles of the DofE Award scheme are aligned with the core Rugby Union values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment and discipline. Activities require a commitment of a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of months, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. 

Eccles RFC are an inclusive club and will find a way to support young people who face financial hardship or other barriers on thier DofE journey. You'll need to invest in a pair of decent walking boots, but much of the other equipment can be loaned from the club.

How do I achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

Young people will achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award if they show persistence, commitment and personal development over a period of time. Participants must show development and progress in four areas:

  • Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community (this can be volunteering here at Eccles RFC on match days)
  • Physical: improving in an area of sport or fitness activities (this can be your rugby here at Eccles RFC)
  • Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
  • Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
  • At Gold level, participants must also complete an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home for 5 days.

Every activity must be successfully completed, evidenced and assessed. Your DofE Leaders are on hand to encourage your efforts and guide you along your path.

Your programme can be full of activities and projects that get you buzzing! You can try learning a new skill or choose to do something you know you love. Along the way to achieving an Award, you and your team mates will enjoy experiences and develop talents that will stay with you and set you up for life.  

To inspire you to the possibilites, watch this film made by the 2017 Eccles RFC DofE Gold Award group who undertook an expedition to France Somme 101: Footsteps of the Pals 

Who can I speak to about beginning my DofE Award journey?

For assistance and guidance on enrollment please contact Eccles RFC Senior DofE Leader and Head of Everything Hilary Berry who really is very friendly and not as scary as she looks on 07583 240653‬ hilary.berry@hotmail.co.uk

How can I support the Eccles RFC DofE Award?

Eccles RFC is a non-profit, volunteer-run community Rugby Club with a mission to propagate Homegrown talent and support, inspire and deliver change in Salford. We believe that all things blossom with hard work. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a charity reliant on the generous support of businesses to meet it's commitment to helping young people contributute to local communities and develop skills highly regarded by employers.

For more details on how you can make a difference and support the DofE scheme at Eccles RFC contact Eccles RFC DofE Chair Mark Baines on baines.mark@virginmedia.com.


What are the DofE Award levels?

  • Bronze - for those aged 14+ years
  • Silver - for those aged 15+ years
  • Gold - for those aged 16+ years

  • All DoFE activities must be completed by the participant’s 25th birthday.

Bronze timescales:

  • Volunteering section: 3 months
  • Physical section: 3 months
  • Skills section: 3 months
  • Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
  • Plus an additional 3 months in your choice of either Volunteering, Physical or Skills.

Silver timescales:

  • Volunteering section: 6 months
  • Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
  • Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights
  • If you didn't do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.

Gold timescales:

  • Volunteering section: 12 months
  • Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
  • Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights
  • Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
  • If you didn't do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.

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