An inspirational female rugby player who has encouraged Bath women to try rugby is the winner of a new volunteering award, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced ahead of today's Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Sarah Burgess, who lives in Bath and plays for Bath RFC Ladies, lead a team of volunteers who recruited over 60 young women to establish an under 13's and under 15's side – the first of their kind in Bath and crucial for nurturing future talent for the sport. Women's rugby has gone from strength to strength over recent years and participation is currently at an all-time high with nearly 14,000 women and girls currently registered nationally as playing each week. Sarah has won a Prime Minister's Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are inspiring others. Each day, someone is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
Sarah started to play for Bath RFC Ladies three years ago and was inspired to organise open day sessions for young women to try out rugby and lead a healthier lifestyle. Sarah created and delivered, with the help of coaches from Bath RFC and other Bath clubs, practical and fun sessions and also started girl's development days focussing on general fitness and technical skills.
Sarah's boundless enthusiasm for the club has led to her managing all the social media around the girl's and ladies sides and she has single-handedly raised the profile of the women's rugby in the local area, attracting 300 per cent more people to Bath RFC ladies to watch matches and try out the sport.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Sarah has helped to grow women's rugby in Bath, an area where the sport has a rich heritage. Thanks to Sarah's enthusiasm and encouragement a vibrant girls division now exists, nurturing future talent for a sport going from strength to strength. I am delighted to award a Point of Light to such an inspirational young woman."
Sarah said: "I'm honoured to be recognised and receive this award. Without the help from all the volunteers at Bath RFC, the Ladies team and the coaches, the Girls team would never have been established. We're noticing an increase in the number of women and girls wanting to try the sport, so we welcome players, supporters and volunteers to get involved where they can."
Bath MP Don Foster said: "Sarah is an inspirational person who single-handedly has raised the profile of women's rugby in Bath and the surrounding areas. In addition to playing for Bath RFC Ladies, Sarah has also helped recruit over 60 young women to establish an under 13's and under 15's side; the first of their kind in Bath and crucial for nurturing the future talent of the sport. Bath is very proud of Sarah and I am sure everyone in the city will join me in congratulating her on winning a Point of Light award."
Sarah is the eighty-fifth winner of the new Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA and was first established by President George H. W. Bush. Over 5,000 US Points of Light have been awarded and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country."
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