Celebrating the rugby season

Annual rugby presentation dinner

Our recent annual Rugby Presentation Dinner brought pupils, staff and special guests together to celebrate a successful season of rugby and recognise the commitment of all those who have represented the School.

The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on a year of hard work, development and achievement across all age groups. Players enjoyed a formal dinner before a series of speeches that captured both the competitive highlights of the season and the strong sense of camaraderie that underpins rugby at the School.

A highlight of the evening was an inspiring address from former pupil Will Yarnell, who left Loughborough Grammar School in 2018 and has since gone on to play at a high level. While still a pupil, Will became the youngest player this millennium to make a senior appearance for Leicester Tigers. He later studied History at the University of Exeter, where he captained the side to a BUCS Premier title, and now plays for Nottingham Rugby.

Reflecting on his journey, Will spoke warmly about his time at Loughborough Grammar, emphasising the importance of friendships formed through rugby and the support he received from staff in balancing academic study with elite sport. He encouraged current pupils to value the opportunities available to them and to embrace the lifelong connections built through the game.

The evening also featured a speech from Groundsman, Keith, who offered a unique perspective on the game, drawing on his experience working at Twickenham during international fixtures, including the Six Nations. He spoke of the pride in maintaining pitches that allow players to perform at their best and highlighted the shared responsibility of respecting the playing surface at every level of the game.

Captains from each year group, shared their most memorable moments and acknowledged the collective effort of their teammates. The evening concluded with the presentation of awards, including the players’ player accolades, as voted for by each team, recognising both performance and contribution.

Events such as this are an important opportunity to celebrate not only the achievements of our teams, but also the values that sit at the heart of rugby at Loughborough Grammar School. Commitment, respect and teamwork have been evident throughout the season, and it is particularly pleasing to see the strong bonds formed between the boys. We are grateful to Will for returning to share his experiences, which I know will have inspired many of our current players.

Emyr Lewis, Head of Rugby