A COMMUNITY rugby club that has been given a King’s Award has hailed the dedication of its volunteers past and present.

Portico Vine ARLFC was awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

The recognition is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Portico Vine has become known for being far more than just an amateur rugby league club. Its embedded culture and values sees the club offer life-enhancing opportunities for the community.

 

Portico Vine have won the Kings Award

Portico Vine have won the King's Award

 

Volunteers invest an equal amount of time and energy off the field, as they do on it, reflecting one of the club’s mottos that they “work with the community, for the community”.

hen not used for rugby league purposes, the volunteers open the doors of the facilities and welcome a variety of organisations to make use of the space that has become a Community Hub.

Portico Vine have hosted crime awareness seminars, mental health support workshops, first aid courses, open days for local hospices, coffee mornings, dementia support days, citizens advice inputs and accommodate several community groups who would otherwise be without a base.

 

Portico Vine have won the Kings Award

Portico Vine have won the King's Award

 

Recognised as a leading community club by Sport England, the Rugby Football League and Merseyside Police, the club were selected as ‘best practice’ by Sport England’s Framework Partner, Buddle, who have featured the club as a ‘case study’, highlighting the club’s dedication to raising the aspirations, self-esteem, self-confidence and wellbeing of the community.

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Portico Vine ARLFC is one of a select number of local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.

2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients were announced annually earlier in November, on the King’s Birthday.

 

Portico Vine have won the Kings Award

Portico Vine have won the King's Award

 

Representatives of Portico Vine ARLFC will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mark Blundell, Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside later this year.

In addition, two volunteers from the club will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

'This belongs to every single volunteer'

Portico Vine chairman, Mark Hobin said: “It is with the highest honour and immense pride to learn that Portico Vine have been awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.

"We have always believed in the strength of local communities and the selfless volunteers at our club, ensure the things they do for others is at the forefront of their time and efforts.

"Their dedication, hard work, commitment and motivation is second to none.”

 

Portico Vine have won the Kings Award

Portico Vine have won the King's Award

 

Mark added: “This award belongs to every single volunteer, past or present who have contributed to the club – all of whom bought into our mission of working as One Team to achieve One Dream. To His Majesty The King and the KAVS National Assessment Committee – a heartfelt thanks in recognising Portico Vine with an award that will forever be part of this clubs story, and will be spoken about for generations to come.”