In 2011 Eccles RFC became the first rugby club in the UK to offer the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award scheme for its young people aged 14 to 24. A decade on, our DofE award scheme has grown from strength to strength, and can take great pride in the attainment of over 200 prestigious awards (48 Gold, 62 Silver, 127 Bronze) achieved by its players. This remarkable success is a testament to the committed effort and dedicated persistence of our participants and the club volunteers who lead the programme.
For members who are unfamiliar with its ethos, the DofE is a global youth achievement award that gives young people the chance to learn new skills for life. Consisting of four areas of personal endeavour - Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition (plus a Residential experience at Gold level), the DofE inspires and encourages commitment, personal development and an adventurous spirit in young people to help them gain the confidence and resilience to successfully overcome whatever life throws their way. The DofE award compliments Rugby activities here at the club and instills in our future adults the importance of team work and tenacity in reaching goals.
To celebrate our 10-year association with the DofE Award scheme, this season the club decided to proudly emblazon all new Eccles RFC Mini and Junior Ruby shirts with the DofE award crest. This was undertaken as part of a restructuring of our membership fees, an initiative that was supported by Seward Refrigeration and the Morson Group who provided the financial security to ensure that every Mini and Junior player, aged 5 to 16, could be provided with a new full kit.
Anyone who has visited the club this autumn on a Sunday morning will agree it's been heart-warming to see hundreds of kids running out in those sparkling new Navy and White hoops! Although our sponsors did not make their commitment for reasons of publicity we think it only right and proper that we take this opportunity to recognise and express our appreciation of their patronage, without which we could not do what we do.
Eccles Rugby Football Club and our DofE award scheme is steadfast in its principles of inclusivity. There are many families within this district suffering hardship and it remains important to us that no member is denied the opportunity to participate as a result of financial contraints.
Providing the DofE Award is not without costs. The club holds a central stock of equipment (tents, maps, compasses, cooking stoves, gas etc) but in addition to the annual £1500 licence fee we also need to replace the majority of our tents this coming year due to rodent damage caused whilst in storage during the Covid lockdown. So, we are delighted to confirm that the M&J Christmas events last Sunday helped to raise £400 for our club's DofE section! Thank you all for your generosity and support. It makes a difference. CG.
