Eccles Rugby Football Club is to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. 

The club's name and citation will be published in The Gazette on 14 November (available to view online or purchase as a special edition). The club will also receive a signed certificate from His Majesty The King and a crystal award with the KAVS insignia, presented to representatives of the club by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester at the Manchester Monastery on 29 April. 

Commenting on the news of the award Chris Gaffey, Chairman of Eccles RFC said  “I am delighted that the work of our community club has been recognised by this prestigious honour, which pays tribute to the dedicated effort and commitment of our volunteers. Over the last year 128 volunteers at Eccles RFC have devoted over 30,000 hours to supporting grassroots rugby activities and its health and wellbeing benefits to children and adults in our community. Our volunteers can be immensely proud of their personal contribution to this tremendous club achievement”.

News of the award was published in the December edition of RFU Touchdown englandrugby/clubs-recognised-kings-award

Club volunteers are invited to personally collect an official Kings Award enamel pin badge from Hilary Berry, at the club, from Saturday 22nd March onwards.

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