Emma King, the coach of Stanley Rangers Under 8s team, has won the National Youth Volunteer of the Year award from the RFL.

Emma has been coach of Stanley Rangers U8’s for the past three seasons.

She has introduced more than 80 children into rugby league, giving them all a very good start with the basic skills needed to play the game.

Emma has endless patience with her players and each one is treated as an individual and is given the opportunity to develop their skills.

Despite also studying for a degree and playing rugby league herself, Emma always has time for her team, taking training twice a week and being there on match days. She also organises trips out for them, thereby building a strong team spirit.

As well as coaching, Emma acts as junior secretary and played a big part in the club attaining “Clubmark” status. She is also a member of the club committee and the club representative at Yorkshire Junior meetings.

Emma comes from a rugby league family who have strong ties to Stanley Rangers. Her father, Gerald, played for Dewsbury and until recently was a coach at the club. Brother Kevin, 21, plays for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and is currently on loan with Rochdale Hornets where he is joining ex-Stanley players Craig Robinson and Matty Firth.

Emma won the Wakefield Service Area award for “Youth Volunteer of the Year” and was presented with her award at the Wakefield Trinity Wildcat's match against Wigan at Belle Vue stadium on the 2nd June.

Link to RFL website:

http://www.therfl.co.uk/COMMUNITY/news_item.php?id=6044