A sales leadership executive from Kidlington has been recognised by the RFU after sparking a meteoric rise in rugby sessions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Darren Rea, 49, has been named as one of the RFU Honda Volunteer of the Year finalists for his incredible dedication and efforts in providing inclusive rugby sessions and opportunities across Oxfordshire.

The awards are part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme that provides opportunities for grassroots clubs to recognise the integral work done by volunteers.

Darren, who is Youth Chair of Gosford All Blacks RFC, has been invited to Twickenham Stadium on August 30 for the award finals, has been acknowledged for imparting his own love of rugby onto a new generation of players who previously had very little opportunities to play the game.

"My wife manages a local community hub and the idea started at home. There's a young autistic boy who used to play age grade rugby until he couldn't anymore," he said.

(Image: RFU)

"He comes and watches the seniors play every week and he asked me a simple question of: 'When can I play?'.

"Such a simple question, one that in any other situation we would have an immediate answer! I wondered what's stopping us from providing him the same opportunity as everyone else?

"The Directors backed the idea fully, so their support made it easy to set up. We saw a real challenge with lack of information and signposting, when we started we had parents driving from over 30 miles ‘because there isn’t any opportunity closer’. We were aware that we were offering something that there was an interest and a need for.”

"I was lucky that there are some great set-ups already at clubs close by, they were very helpful with sharing info, “ don’t wait for it to be perfect, get started” so we did!"

Darren is one of several grassroots volunteers recognised by the Honda Volunteer of the Year awards, which shine a light on those who have had a major impact within their clubs and communities over the past 12 months.

Over 2,000 volunteers were nominated across several categories, including Unsung Hero, Game for All, Connecting the Community and Game Changer.

Darren initially started out by providing sessions to a handful of children at Gosford All Blacks RFC, but his work has since expanded to supporting approximately 20 players weekly, running disability awareness and inclusion courses for sports clubs and the creation of the inaugural ‘Katie Peel SEND Rugby Festival’ in May of this year.

The festival was attended by inclusive rugby teams from Witney Wolves, Wallingford Wolves, Old Leamingtonians, Norton, Banbury and Gosford. It was named after Wallingford Wolves head coach John Peel's daughter Katie, who sadly passed away earlier this year, and who was a founder member of the Wallingford Wolves.

"There had never been an opportunity for SEND teams in Oxfordshire to play games against each other, so we made sure that they had the opportunity to visit each other- something age grade teams do weekly to give them the same opportunity,"

(Image: RFU)

"From there we decided to set up an actual event for everyone to be included and take part.”

"That conversation had already started and then in February we heard the sad news about Katie so I gave John a call and asked if we could rename the festival in memory of her.

"It was great to have that level of interest and give people the same opportunities."

Darren now hopes that his work in the area can help any child explore their skills on the rugby pitch whilst also making information on SEND inclusion sports clubs easily accessible to all.

"We have 'BHAG' at work, which is 'big hairy ambitious goal'," he added.

"My BHAG is for these sessions to become the ‘norm’ at clubs. Seeing the difference in confidence, enjoyment and mental and physical wellbeing highlights the reasons why it’s worth doing. Rugby is a perfect sport for inclusion and providing these opportunities. Realising the impact can be life changing for everyone involved is humbling and rewarding. If I can help make a difference and support this happening throughout the country I’d be very proud. But I’m proud of what we’ve dome in Oxfordshire and am excited for how we expand and provide more in this area.  I think long term a big goal is to create a good example of what can be achieved and make it easier for people to make that first step to set up and get started.

Darren emphasised that this work is only due to the continued support and help of many other volunteers.  ‘Volunteers are the lifeblood of our clubs, we wouldn’t exist without them. Strangers that become friends, friends that become family. “

Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots rugby in England. If you’d like to get involved and make a difference at your community club, visit: www.englandrugby.com/volunteering