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Ross Juniors Receive Queen's Award


On Saturday 10th October, an official ceremony was held at the Royal Hotel to mark the truly great achievement by Ross Juniors Football Club; the club receiving the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The HM Lord-Lieutenant for Herefordshire, The Countess of Darnley, who represents Her Majesty The Queen, made the formal presentation to the club and was accompanied by her husband Lord Darnley. The award was an English Crystal with the logo insignia and certificate signed by Her Majesty the Queen.

Martin Hudson, Club President, and Jim Loftus, Club Chairman, met Lady Darnley and Lord Darnley and accompan

ied them past a guard of honour made up of Ross Juniors' younger players into the main room. All guests remained standing to sing the National Anthem. A welcome and introduction was made by Mr. Paul Deneen DL and the club's honorary patron. This was followed by a great speech regarding the club read by Major Patrick Darling DL who explained what the club had achieved and how this ledc to their nomination and then the award. The award was then presented by Lady Darnley to one of the club's long serving managers, Mark Ravenhill and his son Niall, who plays for the Under 8 Juniors boys team. Lady Darnley remarked in here speech on what a tremendous achievement the award was, for a community organisation to receive national recognition. A short thanks was given by Martin Hudson to all for their support of the club and for attending this prestigious ceremony, and a bouquet of flowers was presented to Lady Darnley. Photographs and refreshments followed.

The event was attended by many club stalwarts, young and old and supporters of the club from the local community such as The Mayor and Mayoress, Colin and Ann Gray, Jo Scrivin from the Ross Gazette and the club's honorary patron Mrs Joyce Thomas, MBE. In the club's 11-year existence, this event was the most memorable of all and a great way to celebrate the club's continual growth. The club is now looking forward to building its successes further and would like to take this opportunity to extend their thanks to all members past and present, sponsors, spectators, Ross Sports Centre CIC, Ross Gazette, The Royal Hotel for hosting the presentation, Herefordshire FA and the local community.

Ross Juniors FC have also recently received confirmation that they are up again for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Award in the category of Community Club of the Year. They are in a final shortlist of 3 and the winners will be announced at Worcester RFC Sixway Stadium on 4th November.

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