Warriors’ Kerry Simons is one of four inspiring youngsters who have been shortlisted for Premiership Rugby’s PLAY Achiever of the Year award supported by Premiership Rugby, and judge Wayne Morris believes that any of the quartet would be a deserving winner.
With the Premiership Rugby Parliamentary Community Awards taking place at the House of Commons on Wednesday 11 July, a specially-selected panel faced the daunting task of whittling down the nominations to a final three for the prestigious gong – which rewards a participant who has excelled in any programme that introduces rugby to new audiences.
Every year hundreds of people up and down the country give their time to help run Premiership Rugby initiatives such as – but not limited to – Aviva Tackling Numbers, HITZ, Project Rugby and Move Like A Pro.
The PLAY Achiever of the Year Award recognises those who have overcome physical, cultural or social barriers to become involved in the game whilst embodying the spirit of the PLAY campaign.
And, according to Morris, Premiership Rugby Community and CSR Director, the competition has never been higher.
He said: “This was an incredible award to judge and all the entrants deserve a huge amount of praise for what they have achieved. The barriers every single person have had to overcome has been inspiring.
“The difference rugby has made for each and every person is phenomenal and they all absolutely deserve to be recognised.”
Shortlist for PLAY Achiever of the Year award:
• George Lambert – Bristol Bears
• Seth Mensah – Harlequins
• Henry Hibbert-Jones – Sale Sharks
• Kerry Simons – Worcester Warriors