A new Bottom of the Ruck campaign honoring the unsung heroes of grassroots rugby.

Grassroots rugby runs on passion — not paychecks. It’s built by the people who show up early, stay late, and do it all for the love of the game. They’re the ones putting in monumental efforts on and off of the pitch, reaching milestones, coaching in the rain, chalking lines on the pitch, driving kids to tournaments, cooking food, fundraising for jerseys, and keeping the lights on in clubhouses across the country.

At Bottom of the Ruck, we believe those people deserve to be celebrated. That’s why we’re proud to launch Heroes of Grassroots Rugby, a new monthly feature series dedicated to shining a light on the volunteers, players, coaches, referees, and supporters who make our sport what it is.

Why We’re Doing This

Rugby is a game with heart and at its heart are communities.

From small-town clubs to long-standing organizations held together by friendship and sweat equity, grassroots rugby is built on the backs of everyday heroes. Yet all too often, their stories go untold only known by a few.

Heroes of Grassroots Rugby was born from a simple idea: to give those people their moment. To share their stories, honor their impact, and remind the wider rugby world that while professional rugby may fill stadiums, it’s grassroots rugby that fills lives.

Every month, we’ll spotlight one individual who embodies the spirit of community rugby. It might be a veteran player still suiting up after 20 years. It could be the team administrator who keeps everything organized behind the scenes. Or the parent who started a youth program because no one else would.

Their names might not be in the papers, but their fingerprints are on every try scored and every club that keeps going year after year.

How It Works

Starting this month, Bottom of the Ruck will publish one feature story at the end of each month celebrating a Hero of Grassroots Rugby.

Nominations are open to everyone — whether you’re part of a club, a local rugby union, or just someone who wants to recognize a deserving friend.

To nominate a hero:
👉 Visit bottomoftheruck.com/heroes and complete the short nomination form.

You’ll be asked to share a few details about your nominee, including:

• Their name, club, and role (coach, player, volunteer, referee, supporter, etc.)

• A short explanation (150–300 words) of why they deserve to be recognized

• Provide optional photos of the Hero in their element

Each month, one nominee will be selected and featured on Bottom of the Ruck’s website and social media channels.

The first Hero of Grassroots Rugby will be announced at the end of November 2025.

What Makes a Hero of Grassroots Rugby

We’re looking for the unsung legends — the people who embody rugby’s core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect.

Heroes come in many forms:

• The coach who builds confidence, not just teams.

• The volunteer who shows up, every weekend, without ever asking for thanks.

• The referee who keeps the game fair and fun for everyone.

• The player who inspires teammates with heart, not ego.

• The supporter who brings energy, laughter, and love to the sidelines.

If you know someone like that, tell us their story. Let’s show them how much they mean to their club, their community, and the game itself.

Be Part of the Movement

The Heroes of Grassroots Rugby campaign isn’t just about recognition — it’s about connection. Every story we share helps build pride across Clubland, showing the world what grassroots rugby really stands for.

We also welcome partners who want to support this initiative through sponsorships, merchandise donations (for prizes) or community collaborations.
If your organization believes in the power of grassroots sport, contact us at inthebottomoftheruck@gmail.com to learn how you can get involved.

Keeping Rugby Grassy

At Bottom of the Ruck, we’ve always said “no grassroots, no rugby”.
This campaign is a celebration of the people who prove that every week. The people who give their time, their passion, and their love for the game.

Let’s make sure their stories are told.

Nominate your Hero of Grassroots Rugby today at 👉 bottomoftheruck.com/heroes.