RFU recognises extraordinary contributions to the game
RFU Rose Awards were given to Paul Astbury, Sir James Dingemans and Carol Isherwood for remarkable contributions to the game.
At last week’s RFU Council meeting, RFU Rose Awards were given to Paul Astbury, Sir James Dingemans and Carol Isherwood, all of whom have provided an extraordinary contribution to the game over a sustained period working at a national level.
Paul Astbury has been a consistent and valued member of the RFU Competitions Management Committee and Competitions Development Committee for many years, representing London and South East Organising Committee (DOC) where his knowledge and expertise of all matters competitions and regulations has not only benefitted the Division but also nationally.
He has served Middlesex RFU as DOC representative for over 15 years and been league secretary for London Premier League for most of that time. Paul was also co-opted onto the Future Competitions Structure (FCS) Review Group for which helped to lead the changes to be introduced to the game in 22/23. In addition, during the pandemic, Paul served on the RFU Adult Competitions Advisory Group (ACAG) helping to ensure a fair and equitable conclusion to the 19/20 season. He assists Legal and Governance Department on all things RFU Competitions Regulations and is the ‘go to’ sounding board for many staff and volunteers seeking clarification in those areas.
Sir James Dingemans was appointed as the first volunteer Independent Head of Judiciary for the RFU in 2013 following the creation of the post, to ensure independence between the prosecutorial and judicial functions of the discipline department. During his tenure, he led the RFU Independent Judiciary to be the leading rugby judiciary in the world, with increasing numbers of members taking international appointments.
During his time, Sir James has sat on over 100 RFU disciplinary hearings, from numerous on-field cases including those involving criminal investigation and sanction to complex competition appeals including London Welsh’s promotion to the Premiership in 2012.
In addition, he also sits for EPCR, 6 Nations and World Rugby and has attended two men’s Rugby World Cups as an Appeals Officer. Sir James was also selected to host an event for the Judicial Officers engaged for RWC2015 at which it was evident to both World Rugby and Judiciary from other Unions around the world that the RFU was at the forefront of the disciplinary and judicial process.
Carol Isherwood is a hugely influential figure in the development of women’s rugby, both domestically and internationally, as a player, coach and administrator. One of the original players and a founding member of the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) and Women’s World Cup.
Carol captained Great Britain when they played their first international match on home soil in 1986. The following year, she captained the Red Roses in their first ever fixture, against Wales in Pontypool continuing to win 15 caps between 1986 – 1991 before retiring in 1992 due to a serious knee injury.
Carol embarked on a successful career as a coach, assisting England at The Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1994. As well as being head coach for Emerging England and England U19, she coached club sides Henley and Richmond.
Carol was the Performance Director/Director of Rugby for the RFUW (1997 – 2008) and was voted the IRB Women’s Sports Personality of the Year. In 2009 she became the first woman appointed to the IRB Rugby Committee.
She was also one of the first six women inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2014. Carol is currently a consultant with World Rugby working with female coaches around the world with their development and building of female leadership in the sport.
Speaking on the award winners, Ken Andrews, Chair of the Council Nominations Committee said: “The new RFU Rose Award gives us the opportunity to reward and recognise an extraordinary national contribution over many years from non-Council individuals to our great game of rugby.
“In the first year, we were delighted to award three individuals, Paul Astbury, Sir James Dingemans and Carol Isherwood, all whose commitment and dedication to the game has been considerable.
“RFU Council were delighted to approve these awards and they will be invited to attend an International match where they will be officially invested into the RFU Rose Award.”
Alongside the honour of the award, recipients receive their name on an honours board at Twickenham and access to the Members lounge. The awards will presented to the winners at a complementary meal during or after an international fixture at Twickenham.
