In January this year, the RFU invited all English clubs to nominate Volunteers to be part of the Honda National Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025.   Brixham RFC nominated five members across the three categories: Unsung Hero, Game for All, and Connecting the Community.  

At the Devon v Gloucestershire match held at Astley Park in May, John Yersin, Charlie Wardman, Bryan Pitman, Mike Coyle, and Julie Sparkes were presented with Volunteer Certificates from Devon RFU, acknowledging the work they do for the Club.  Bryan Pitman was further nominated to represent the County at the National Awards to be held at Twickenham, along with John Dobson from Plymstock Albion Oaks.

More than 2,000 volunteers were nominated for the awards, showcasing their incredible impact on clubs and communities.

The nominees were welcomed last weekend at the Twickenham members’ lounge with tea and cake, a complimentary bar, and a talk by Rachel Burford, 2014 Women’s World Cup winner. This was followed by an extended behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium and its facilities, then a couple of hours off to prepare for the evening.

From the nominees, 47 local winners were invited to the Home of England Rugby for an awards ceremony hosted by Alex Payne and included dignitaries from the RFU. After kicking off the awards with a pitch-side drinks reception, a Gala Dinner and fine wine, the three national winners were announced.

Bryan won Honda National Volunteer of the Year in the Connecting the Community category for making Brixham RFC a true community hub.

He founded the Rugby Cubs programme for three to six-year-olds more than15 years ago, recently launched a walking rugby team, and partnered with mental health charity Looseheadz to train over 40 club members in wellbeing support, with the Club being part of the Brixham Bee Well group. His efforts to mark the Club’s 150th anniversary as its coordinator included a town centre display, a history and heritage exhibition, Martin Johnson and Rocky Clark Sports Dinners, and an outreach programme to promote rugby in primary schools, planting 150 trees, filling a time capsule, a timeline and wall of frames and organising a 150th Gala Dinner. The final event was the Community Festival of Rugby last Saturday.

Bryan was awarded a glass trophy, full hospitality to the England v Fuji match, plus vouchers for the Club to spend on the growth of its teams.

After the event, he was interviewed by the RFU media team and commented that he was extremely proud and honoured to represent Brixham RFC and to have been recognised by England RFU. The Club was also presented with an engraved trophy from Deborah Griffin in recognition of its 150th year.