Ben Howlett, the MP for Bath, has praised the work Bath Rugby Foundation are doing in the community to encourage greater participation in sport across the local area.
The MP for Bath’s comments came after Premiership Rugby clubs from across the country were honoured at the prestigious All Party Parliamentary Premiership Rugby Union Community Awards, held in the House of Commons.
Celebrating their 10th year, the awards highlight the work of the professional clubs in reaching out to the community in a range of social inclusion initiatives.
Currently Bath Rugby facilitates rugby programmes locally and include ‘Aviva Tackling Numbers’, ‘School of Tag’ and Bath Rugby Foundation, the Club charity, run ‘Stickability’, ‘Something to Chew on’ and ‘Get Active into Work’.
The rugby club works with local schools and the local authority to help promote different forms of rugby in the community.
At the awards ceremony, Bath Rugby Foundation were highly commended for their ‘Stickability’ programme and representatives from across the rugby world congratulated the work the club are doing across Bath.
The Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP praised the work of Bath Rugby Club and other Premiership Clubs across the country.
She said: “Sport has a unique power to change lives and it is a credit to the Premiership Rugby clubs when you see the great work they do in the local communities.”
Commenting after the event, Mr Howlett said: “It was a great privilege to attend the awards and I applaud the first class effort Bath Rugby Foundation is doing for our city.
“It was fantastic to see the club recognised at the highest level for their efforts and I look forward to working with them in future years to encourage more children to get actively involved in sport.”
Mandy Gardner, General Manager of Bath Rugby Foundation, was pleased that the literacy programme has been recognised on a nationwide platform.
She said: “We are delighted that Stickability, supported by The Consortium, has been recognised by Premiership Rugby.
“To receive a highly commended award is testament to the hard work of our education department led by Vicky Heslop.
“We are thrilled that the important literacy work we undertake in the community is receiving so many plaudits.”