Congratulations to Durham University Rugby Football Club (DURFC) winners of the annual Student Rugby Football Union ‘Core Values’ award.  

The members of the DURFC won the award for having stayed true to the values that they set out; Character - Integrity - Purpose - Humility - Pride - Hard Work - Enjoyment and performing as a team, without ever stepping onto the field.

We are exceptionally proud of how all of our student athletes have dealt with the unprecedented circumstances of the last year. DURFC in particular, have been outstanding in this arena and have displayed a huge amount of maturity and creativity to come up with high a number of quality initiatives and opportunities that kept the club together.

Fundraising and activities

Despite not being able to train, or play together for over a year due to during the global pandemic, DURFC have busied themselves with a wide range of fundraising activities and initiatives to help both the local and wider community.
Over the last 12 months DURFC has:

• Donated 335kg food to Durham food bank
• Hosted a weekly quiz night for all Team Durham sports clubs throughout lockdown 1
• Raised over £9,000 for Movember
• Raised over £2,000 for NHS charities
• Updated the facilities at Durham City Rugby Club by painting all the changing rooms and putting up bench seating around the ground
• Supported the Tom Miller Oddballs campaign, raising over £500
• Promoted and attended a workshop detailing women’s safety and risk, and are in talks with Team Durham and the charity ‘Beyond Equality’ to host more interactive workshops

Well-deserved recognition

Mark Brian, Head of Sport, said, “We are exceptionally proud of how all of our student athletes have dealt with the unprecedented circumstances of the last year. DURFC in particular, have been outstanding in this arena and have displayed a huge amount of maturity and creativity to come up with high a number of quality initiatives and opportunities that kept the club together.

“They have gone above and beyond to help both the local and wider community and in turn have kept themselves motivated and engaged in a year where playing rugby has not been the focus.

“Looking forward, it will be really exciting to see the positive impact this will have both on and off the pitch.”

Find out more / Links to further information:

Find out about Team Durham and our wider University Sport
Visit Durham University Rugby Football Club website