 An Independent Family-Owned Newspaper |
|
|
|
Feature Item:
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
A RUGBY fanatic who dedicates his free time to bringing the sport to inner-city kids has been nominated for a South London Press Our Heroes Award.
Vernon Neve-Dunn, 49, started Southwark Tigers Rugby Club in 2000 while working as a teacher at Charlotte Sharman Primary School in West Square, Elephant & Castle.
He started the club from his car boot, holding training on an open patch of grass at Burgess Park in Camberwell and often first having to clear debris including broken glass.
Mr Neve-Dunn, from Tulse Hill, said: “I really thought the kids would benefit from playing because of the sport’s core values of discipline and respect.
“There was nothing in the area – no rugby club that was accessible to the kids from that area and it needed to be done.”
Since its modest beginnings, the club has expanded and now has a clubhouse, pitches with posts and storage at Burgess Park.
Father-of-one Mr Neve-Dunn said: “We have three adult teams and six juniors, with a total membership of around 250 people of all ages.
“Girls and women are involved and we have about 12 parents who are volunteer coaches. I am really proud that we have shown kids from Southwark, mainly Peckham, can behave themselves and compete on the field.
“We often play in posher areas like Tunbridge Wells, Esher and Richmond, and the clubs are really friendly.”
He started the Southwark Tigers club with help from Kent County RFU in West Malling, Kent, and Southwark council.
He was nominated for an Our Heroes award by Helen Clayton, from Premiership Rugby, the organisation that looks after the country’s 12 top clubs.
She said: “He is a man possessed by rugby. He is fabulous, I don’t know how he has done so much – he’s like a whirlwind. He really sees the benefits of it for local kids.”
The Our Heroes campaign ends with a gala ceremony at the South Bank headquarters of sponsors Shell on November 15.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Saturday, 18 May 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
Hot Jobs
Online Pictures
Advertise with us
Our Heroes 2012
Something to sell?
Poll
Most Read
Commercial Feature
Adverts
Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© 2008 - 2013 owned by or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.