Dorchester have been awarded the prestigious RFU Seal of Approval and Sport England Clubmark accreditation.

The club’s flourishing mini and junior section secured the award, effectively a kitemark for rugby clubs, for achieving the highest standards in providing a safe, effective and child-friendly environment.

The county town club has spent six months working towards the award and they were presented with their certificate by the Dorset and Wilts RFU council member Willie Wildash at a ceremony held at Coburg Road.

The club boasts more than 220 youngsters, aged between six and 16, in their mini and junior section, which now has rugby partnership agreements with many of the local schools within the Dorchester pyramid of schools as well as Kingston Mauward College.

Dorchester’s vice-chairman Andrew Smith said: “It is an excellent achievement by everyone at Dorchester RFC to be officially recognised as a club of good practice and also a club which is continually trying to develop.

“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the work which secured the club this recognition. Like many other organisations we depend entirely on volunteers and without them the club could not function.”

If you are interested in becoming involved in youth rugby or have a child that would like to play please contact Victoria Peel on 07545 280994 or email juniors@dorchester-rfc.co.uk.