Warriors full-back Chris Pennell picked up the Aviva Premiership Community Player of the Season award at Wednesday’s Premiership Rugby awards.
The Worcester born-and-bred star has excelled with his work in the community – volunteering in his own time to support the work of the Warriors Community Foundation and acting as a bridge between the Foundation and the Professional Rugby Department.
The 30-year-old takes an active role in the innovation, development and delivery of Foundation programmes as well as his responsibility as a Trustee. He never misses a board meeting and always comes prepared with observations, challenges and new ideas.
Pennell's diary is full of appointments with local charities, hospitals and schools and he inspires disengaged young children to make positive life choices, particularly those on our HITZ programme and at our partner Alternative Provision School.
Using his own life experiences and challenges, Pennell is always keen to support people to overcome their health issues and fears – especially young people who struggle to manage their diabetes.
Over the last three years the Warriors centurion has made a positive impact on many individuals and community organisations such as:
SIFA Fireside – homeless drop-in centre
Diabetes UK – Mentor for young people struggling to manage their diabetes
HITZ – always on hand to mentor some of our young learners
The Aspire Academy – Pennell is a hero to some of these young people. One child said: “I can’t believe Chris Pennell has bothered to come here just to see if I am okay!”
Birmingham Children’s Hospital – managing a rota to look after the ‘Art Cart’ in Accident and Emergency.
Pennell has also formed a Player Steering Group. This group of players engages the entire squad in community activity over and above their ‘contractual requirements’. This activity is the glue that bonds the team, the core of who they are and what they do. It’s what makes Worcester Warriors a special community Club.
Using his expertise as an exceptional rugby player, Pennell is able to advise on the development of new programmes such as our ground-breaking development of Rugby for the Visually Impaired, in which he is playing a pivotal role in its development.
Meanwhile at Wednesday’s awards event, Wasps’ Jimmy Gopperth completed an incredible hat-trick of rugby awards as he was named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season, while picking up the Gilbert Golden Boot Award and Try of the Season gong at Premiership Rugby’s annual ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel.
Wasps’ Dai Young won the title of Ricoh Director of Rugby of the Season while Leicester Tigers prop Ellis Genge picked up the Land Rover Discovery of the Season award.
Exeter Chiefs' Sam Simmonds was named Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Player of the Tournament.
And it wasn’t just a night to celebrate the best of the men’s game as Harriet Millar-Mills was named Women’s Premiership Players’ Player of the Year for the second season.
To round off the night, master of ceremonies Craig Doyle announced the BT Sport Dream honouring 15 players from six different clubs, with Saracens the best represented with five stars named.
The team:
15. Telusa Veainu – Leicester Tigers
14. Christian Wade – Wasps
13. Elliot Daly – Wasps
12. Brad Barritt – Saracens (captain)
11. Olly Woodburn – Exeter Chiefs
10. Jimmy Gopperth – Wasps
9. Richard Wigglesworth – Saracens
1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens
2. Jamie George – Saracens
3. Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins
4. Joe Launchbury – Wasps
5. Courtney Lawes – Northampton Saints
6. Don Armand – Exeter Chiefs
7. Jackson Wray – Saracens
8. Louis Picamoles – Northampton Saints