Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has rewarded a dedicated volunteer rugby coach from Hertfordshire, who founded and developed the third accredited mixed ability rugby team at his local club, with a once-in-a-lifetime knowledge exchange trip to Japan.
Nicholas Winwood, who has been volunteering at Letchworth Garden City RUFC for the past 10 years, has dedicated countless hours setting up and developing the mixed ability disability team, Braveherts. This selfless devotion has earned Nicholas a place on Mitsubishi Motors’ Journey to Japan initiative, which rewards outstanding grassroots rugby volunteers with a special week-long trip to Japan from 31st October to 6th November.
The programme will see three volunteers and their companions travel to Japan, where they will soak up the local culture and spend time with volunteer counterparts from a local rugby club. The aim of the exchange is to reward each volunteer for their hard work whilst also expanding their knowledge of grassroots rugby so that their newfound skills can be implemented when back in the UK.
Nicholas, along with two other successful volunteers, Andy Trueman and Daryl Grey, was selected on the basis of an application and interview process, which focused on what he had achieved in the past 36 months, his ambitions for the next 24 months and how the programme would drive his work further.
Commenting on the announcement, Nicholas Winwood said: “I am a firm believer that good practice and knowledge should be shared and that nobody should be restricted from developing and learning from others. This includes understanding national and cultural differences so this will be a fantastic opportunity to partner with the host club and down the line potentially explore player exchanges and tours.”
Until 2010 there were only two accredited mixed ability rugby teams in the UK: Bradford Bumbles and England Rugby. However, that number became three when Nicholas developed Braveherts, a mixed ability rugby team at Letchworth Garden City RUFC ten years ago. Following a decade of dedication and hard work, the club now provides countless opportunities for marginalised individuals within the community.
Brian Burke, Club President at Letchworth Garden City RUFC, said: “I can’t think of anyone else in this area of Hertfordshire who deserves this more than Nick, who has striven unremittingly over the past few years to bring our learning disability side, Braveherts, national recognition.”
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has a deep-rooted connection with rugby, which includes being the Official Performance Partner of England Rugby. As part of this partnership, Mitsubishi and the RFU also run the annual Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme – a separate initiative which provides the local rugby community and grassroots rugby clubs with opportunities to recognise and reward the volunteers who make up an integral part of the game.
Commenting on ‘Journey to Japan’, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Managing Director, Rob Lindley said: “Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and the RFU proudly support volunteering at all levels of English rugby as part of our ongoing commitment to growing the grassroots game. I am immensely proud of all of the volunteers who are involved in rugby, and I look forward to seeing what ‘Journey in Japan’ can do for our three winners, the sport and the wider community in the future.”
Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of rugby union in England and are one of the most valuable assets of a rugby organisation, no matter what their role, on or off the pitch, behind the scenes or on the committee. It’s fantastic that three volunteers have been rewarded with a trip to Japan in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their clubs and rugby.”
A short film documenting the moment each volunteer found out they had won their place on Mitsubishi Motors’ ‘Journey to Japan’ can be seen here
