FARNHAM Rugby Club has been given a glowing endorsement by England flanker Chris Robshaw after being nominated for Little Scrummers Rugby Youth and Mini Section of the Year at next month’s National Rugby Awards.

Over the last ten years, the club’s mini and junior section has grown from 350 to 850 players, including girls’ teams at under-13 and under-15 level. This year, the club sent 650 players, parents and siblings to Dorset for the section’s tour.

Robshaw and his Harlequins side raise the curtain on the new Premiership season on September 3 when they take on Bristol at Twickenham.

Just three days earlier, the home of English rugby will host the annual National Rugby Awards, now in association with the RFU, when the sport’s grassroots heroes will be recognised.

Farnham RFC are on a short list of six for their nominated award, alongside Olney, Barkers Butts, Bishop’s Stortford, Veseyans and Witham.

“It’s hugely important to build and promote the grassroots of the game,” said Robshaw, the former England captain. “That is where every international player starts and first falls in love with the game. And that is what the game is about at the end of the day, enjoyment.

“We want to celebrate everything that is great about rugby, from the grassroots right the way through to club and internationals.

“This ceremony is a chance to celebrate clubs like Farnham all under one roof.”

From the chairman to the person who has swept out the changing-rooms for 30 years, the National Rugby Awards recognises everyone involved in the game, with 14 categories to be contested. They include men’s Player of the Year, women’s Team of the Year, Pitchero Club of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.

The ceremony on Thursday, September 1 will be attended by rugby celebrities as well as current England and Premiership players.

“Last year, we thought about putting these awards together and they were a great success,” said Robshaw. “It went better than we ever expected and we got more than 300 entries. We want to keep growing the awards and promote this great game of rugby.”

For more information about the National Rugby Awards, view the website www.nationalrugbyawards.co.uk