LYMM Rugby Club volunteer Andy Jackson, enjoyed a “money can’t buy experience” at Twickenham as one of just 12 people to receive a RFU Club Volunteer Recognition Award.
Andy was nominated by his colleagues at Lymm Rugby Club who appreciate their many volunteers, who willingly give their time and expertise in the running of the Club.
It is a great testament to the culture and DNA of this village, amateur promotion winning club, developed and sustained since its formation in 1960, which generates so many helpers.
Each year the RFU requests nominations from clubs for their Honda sponsored Volunteer Recognition Programme. This year, Lymm secretly nominated Andy Jackson, a member of their dedicated Grounds Maintenance Team. Andy also travels home and away each week with the 1st XV, setting up their match video camera and for home matches organises car parking and managing the scoreboard. He’s ever present at the Club throughout the week, available to help wherever he can.
Andy was one of 12 club volunteers throughout England to receive the RFU award.
Andy describes his experience saying: “At the beginning of April I received an email out of the blue advising me that I had been selected to attend a “money can’t buy experience” at Twickenham Stadium on 4th May 2023.
“My first thoughts were, “oh, scam email, better just delete it”. However it did look very authentic and genuine and after a couple of checks, the background to what was a genuine invite emerged.
“Unbeknown to myself, I had been nominated by the Club to the RFU, as part of their Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme. This I found rather humbling, and I must confess, totally unexpected as like all of the grounds team in equal measure, we do what we do at Lymm Rugby Club for the enjoyment and love of the Club and the game, with the aim of providing the best surfaces and presentation of our grounds and pitches for all our members and visitors.
“This unique experience was for just twelve grounds volunteers from across the country to enjoy a behind the scenes day at Twickenham Stadium to include: – a stadium tour, walk the pitch, personal talk and presentation from RFU Head Groundsman Jim Buttar and for a chance in a lifetime opportunity for any groundsman, the opportunity to actually mow the “Hallowed Turf” of Twickers.
“The day was indeed special and ten dedicated grounds volunteers attended on the day representing their clubs from the north to the south of England from all playing levels.
“The highlight, at least for myself was the opportunity to actually be allowed to mow the pristine Twickenham pitch, as part of its preparation for a series of games being hosted on the coming weekend.
“A great privilege indeed and on reflection I would think that there have surely been more people allowed to play on the pitch over its lifetime than to actually have been allowed to mow it.
“My thanks to my Club and to the RFU for the honour and the privilege to attend this event.”
The Grounds Team
