A rugby volunteer who stepped up to help High Wycombe Rugby Club and grow the women’s and girls’ sides has been recognised nationally.

Kayleigh Winslade has been shortlisted by the Rugby Football Union for the Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The 35-year-old is a player at the club and has been nominated in the 'Unsung Hero' category which recognises local heroes who have had a major impact in their clubs and communities and demonstrated their commitment to the game over the past 12 months.

Kayleigh will now head to the national final at Twickenham in September when volunteers from across the country are celebrated as part of Honda’s volunteer recognition programme.

Three overall winners will be announced on the evening for each of this year’s categories with an 'Unsung Hero', 'Connecting the Community' and a 'Game for All' award.

Having originally stepped up to the role of women’s secretary to ensure the team had representation at club meetings, Kayleigh also took on the vacant fixtures secretary role for the side.

She has also started coaching the girls’ section of the club having received her coaching badges, and is now the overall Director of Women’s and Girls Rugby at High Wycombe.

Speaking at the regional Buckinghamshire County award ceremony, Kayleigh said: “Being made Director of Rugby was a proud moment.

“Being recognised for the work I was doing in the club was a big step.

“Having new players coming down and seeing their faces at the end of training and matches, it just makes me want to continue.

“I try to be the unsung hero - I don’t like being the centre of attention at all.

“To know there are people who think I’ve been doing a really good job makes it an absolute honour.”

Club members nominated Kayleigh for her dedication and going ‘above and beyond’ to support the women’s side at the club.

A club spokesperson said saying: “Without all the hard work Kayleigh has put into the women and girls section we wouldn't have the teams we have now.

"The effort she put into recruitment, fixtures, player safety, training and the general set up has meant that the Women and Girls sections run smoothly.”

The Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme brings the opportunity to thank those who have gone above and beyond this year for teams, clubs, referees’ societies and educational establishments.

With Honda recently coming on board as a partner, and supporting volunteering in the grassroots game, this year’s Awards will help to recognise and celebrate volunteers for their achievements and efforts, both on and off the field.

RFU President Jeff Blackett said: “I am delighted that through the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme, we are able to recognise the exceptional work that has gone into getting Rugby Clubs back up and running over the last year.

"There are so many outstanding volunteers who have really made a difference and the Honda Volunteer of the Year awards provides a great opportunity to say thank you.”

Jean-Marc Streng, President Honda UK, added: “Honda was built upon the Power of Dreams, that same challenging spirit can be found in abundance at local Rugby clubs up and down the country.

“Honda UK is proud to help recognise the volunteers who work tirelessly to support their local Rugby communities.”

Over 100,000 volunteers give back to grassroots rugby, week in, week out.

From the kit washers to the line painters, the bus drivers to the tea makers, the game that we all know and love wouldn’t be the same without the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots rugby in England. If you’d like to get involved and make a difference at your community club, visit: www.englandrugby.com/volunteering