Nominations open for 2021 SP Energy Networks Community Hero

Do you know of someone from your rugby club who has gone above and beyond for their local community in the last year?

Together with Official Community Partner SP Energy Networks, we want to celebrate those who have been a difference-maker within their local area in what has been a challenging time for grassroots rugby.

Each nominee will be considered for the inaugural SP Energy Networks Community Hero of the Year award, with the winner to be revealed as part of Glasgow Warriors 2020/21 Awards celebrations – details of which will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Who can enter?

Nominees must represent a rugby club the Glasgow Warriors catchment area to be eligible for the award; this can be as a coach, a player, a volunteer, a member or a specific team within the wider club.

The Glasgow Warriors catchment area includes all clubs and teams in the Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire and Caledonia regions.

Anyone can nominate their chosen hero and will be asked to provide a short explanation on their reasons for nominating their chosen champion, highlighting the efforts and difference they have made within their local community. This can include anything from keeping in touch with those at risk of social isolation to running keep-fit classes for young children, or from establishing a new initiative to volunteering with a local organisation.

Their work doesn’t have to be confined to rugby, either – if they’ve made a difference, we want to hear about it.

How do I enter?

You can nominate your 2020/21 SP Energy Networks Community Hero by filling out the form below before 5pm on Wednesday 26 May.

Nominees will then be judged by a panel comprised of representatives from both Glasgow Warriors and SP Energy Networks before the winner is revealed.

Glasgow Warriors second-rower Richie Gray is encouraging the Warrior Nation to nominate anyone they feel deserves to be recognised for their efforts, saying: “Grassroots rugby is such an important way to bring communities together.

“Whether through playing, coaching, coming down to have a cup of tea and a blether, there’s a great social aspect to clubs as well as bringing the next generation of rugby players through.

“There’s a lot of unseen and unpraised work that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen, from making sure there’s a bus at the weekend, organising events, the list goes on so we can’t thank the people enough running the clubs – these are the heroes that we want to recognise through this award.

“It’s great having SP Energy Networks onboard, as they’re passionate about supporting grassroots rugby and local communities.

“They’re also promoting the sport in non-traditional rugby areas and you can see how much fun people are having throwing a rugby ball around for the first time.

“If you know someone who deserves to be nominated for this award, then make sure to tell us!”

Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks, added: “At SP Energy Networks, we’re proud to show our support for our communities through our partnership with Glasgow Warriors.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone with all the challenges brought by the pandemic, so I’m really pleased we’ve managed to find a way to recognise our community heroes through this year’s annual Glasgow Warriors Awards, to say thank you to those who have gone above and beyond to help make a difference in their local communities.”