The King recognises the work of Strathmore Community Rugby Trust
The work of an Angus charity in promoting community health and wellbeing in the county has been recognised by The King.
Strathmore Community Rugby Trust is being honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) for 2026.
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 Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King, with 2026 marking the fourth year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK and is awarded for life. Since The King’s accession to the throne, the award has been announced on His Majesty’s birthday, November 14. The formal announcement was published in The Gazette today.
Strathmore Community Rugby Trust is one of 250 groups across the UK having its work recognised by The King in this way. The award citation says it received the award for: “Using rugby as an inspiring force for good in the wider community.”
Representatives of the trust will receive the award crystal and certificate from Patricia Sawers, Lord-Lieutenant of Angus, in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from the trust will attend a Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse next July, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
The trust was founded in 2017 to increase public participation in sport, particularly rugby union, in the Strathmore Valley to benefit community health and wellbeing as well as develop young people into healthy, positive members of the community through the positive ethos and values of rugby.
It uses rugby as a tool to develop its participants as individuals as well as athletes and it develops their skills and confidence so they can give back to their community.
As the trust has grown, the areas in which it operates have expanded – it currently delivers regular activity in Forfar, Kirriemuir, Brechin and Arbroath.
The trust runs nine projects for people of all abilities aged two upwards and works in partnership with many organisations including Strathmore RFC, Brechin RFC, Scottish Rugby, Strathmore Cricket Club, Sporting Memories, Angus Council and Angus Alive.
The trust won the Pioneering Project Award at the Scottish Charity Awards in 2020 for its autism-friendly rugby project for primary children and had its activities recognised the same year by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Earl of Forfar when he agreed to become the trust’s Royal Patron.
Many of its projects are only made possible by volunteers, young and old, who give their time to help run them, in addition to financial support from its sponsors and grant-giving organisations.
The trust was nominated for the award with supporting statements from trust partners and project participants, in order to recognise the support of its volunteers, past and present.
Gordon Cairns, Vice-Chair of Strathmore Community Rugby Trust, said: “My involvement with the Trust was first primarily as a sponsor and latterly as a trustee and Vice-Chair. This has given me a wider perspective on the workings of the Trust.
“It has been a privilege to witness the sense of community and team spirit from all involved, particularly the volunteers.
“Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do – without their time, energy and commitment, none of this would be possible. Volunteers give so much, often quietly and without expectation, and that makes a real and lasting difference to our community.
“It’s not just the hours they give, but the spirit they bring – the warmth, encouragement and sense of belonging they create is felt by everyone who comes through our doors. That’s something which can’t be measured, but it’s incredibly valuable.
“This award recognises the work of volunteers in the community and in the approach to the Trust’s 10th anniversary next year it is well-timed to highlight the work of the Trust and the value of sport in developing people and community.”
Speaking about the new honour, Community Trust Chair, Wendy Duke, said: “As Chair of Strathmore Community Rugby Trust I am truly honoured and thrilled that we have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“Receiving the highest recognition given to voluntary organisations is an extraordinary moment for everyone connected to our charity.
“This prestigious award is a powerful endorsement of the impact we make and the standards we uphold every single day.
“It shines a national spotlight on our mission and gives us a wonderful platform to grow and reach even more people.
“Above all, this honour belongs to our incredible volunteers. It is a direct reflection of the countless hours, compassion and dedication they pour into our work week in and week out.
“From our beginnings in 2017, our charity simply would not exist without their selfless commitment and vision and I could not be prouder to see their hard work recognised at the highest level as we move into celebrating our tenth anniversary.
“I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our supporters, partners and funders, whose generosity and belief in what we do make our work possible, and to our participants, who are the very heart of our community.
“Their enthusiasm, trust, resilience and spirit inspire us every day. We celebrate this milestone together, and we look forward to building on this achievement to make an even greater difference in the future.”
To find out about taking part, including volunteering, go to the Get Involved page on the trust’s website at www.strathmoretrust.co.uk/get-involved.