"Last year I was able to see at first hand some of the outstanding work taking place in every part of the country: from the introduction of the game at Stoke Newington School in London, to the fanatical fundraisers of Ilkley RFC in Yorkshire who raised more than £400,000 to redevelop their club.

"We can all learn from each other and these awards also give us the opportunity to make sure the expertise and innovation is shared by publishing the models of good practice each summer so everyone can draw on them."

One new category this year is for Young Volunteers which will recognise organisations that encourage 14-25 year-olds to get involved in rugby volunteering and to develop their skills.

The President’s XV awards are supported by Rugby World magazine. Editor Paul Morgan is part of a judging panel that includes Williams, past President Bob Taylor, Senior Vice President John Owen, Junior Vice President Richard Appleby and England’s most capped player Jason Leonard.

The 15 winners will pick up £500 each and 30 runners-up will collect £100 each, totalling £10,500 of investment in the grassroots game.

PRESIDENT'S XV CATEGORIES

1 Seal of Approval Club of the Year - A club that introduces mini rugby in an exciting and safe way and retains players well into their teens

2 Club School Links – A club with an exceptional project that reaches out to local schools, supports teachers and brings young people into clubs

3 Schools Development – A school that offers high quality rugby opportunities for boys and girls inside and beyond the school gates

4 More Than A Game – The winners will have done the most to ensure 16-24 year olds keep playing rugby

5 Girl Power – Show your feminine side with a project that has greatly increased the number of women and girls playing

6 More Referees – A club that creatively encourages and supports its members to take up the whistle

7 More Coaches – For recruiting and developing coaches for all the players at the club to encourage more enjoyable rugby

8 More Volunteers – An award for clubs using innovative ways to build a first rate 'off-pitch' team

9 Veterans – Increasing the number of players over 35 and encouraging competition, friendship and fun

10 Social Inclusion – For clubs that have reached out to communities who traditionally have little contact with the game

11 Community – Giving something back to the local community through innovative use of facilities and personnel

12 Better Facilities – Transforming playing and clubhouse facilities to improve the rugby experience for all members

13 Technology – An award for a club that uses technology and its tools to benefit all its members

14 Fundraising – Innovative events that have captured the imagination of members to raise funds

15 Young Volunteers – Recognising organisations that use innovative ways to encourage 14-25 year-olds to get involved in volunteering and to develop their skills

2008 WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP
1 Seal of Approval Club of the Year: Paviors. Runners-up: North Dorset, Peterborough
2 Club-School Links: Mitcham Bulls. Runners-up: Malton & Norton, Upper Eden
3 Schools Development: Stoke Newington School. Runners-up: Chellaston School, Goffs School
4 More Than A Game: West Suffolk College. Runners-up: Eastern Counties RFU, University of Nottingham
5 Girl Power: Derby. Runners-up: Minety, Sheffield Ladies
6 More Referees: Ealing. Runners-up: Lichfield, Newcastle University RRS
7 More Coaches: Kidderminster Carolians. Runners-up: Northumberland RFU, West Suffolk College
8 More Volunteers: Malton & Norton. Runners-up: Kidderminster Carolians, Millwall
9 Veterans: Cockermouth. Runners-up: Derby, Shrewsbury
10 Social Inclusion: Hackney Bulls. Runners-up: Bolton, Camp Hill
11 Community: Stonehouse Sharks (Devonport HSOB). Runners-up: Grasshoppers, Jersey
12 Better Facilities: Barnsley. Runners-up: Hullensians, Thorney
13 Technology: Oakmeadians. Runners-up: Harlow, Royston
14 Fundraising: Ilkley. Runners-up: Lymm, The Tor
15 Go Play Rugby: Furness. Runners-up: Haringey, Kesteven