LooseHeadz Awards 2026: Meet the Shortlist

27 August 2026 by Rachael Risdale

The wait is over. We’re delighted to reveal the shortlists for the LooseHeadz Awards 2026, celebrating the clubs, individuals and initiatives going above and beyond to make rugby more than just a game.

From grassroots clubs and referees to volunteers, players and community initiatives, this year’s nominees represent the incredible people across the rugby community who are helping to create environments where everyone can feel supported, connected and able to talk about their mental health.

At LooseHeadz, we’re proud to support the rugby community by providing clubs with the tools, resources and education they need to make mental health conversations a normal part of club life. Helping clubs create spaces where people can connect, talk and look out for one another.

After an incredible number of nominations, our judging panel has now selected the finalists in each category.

Club of the Year (Flagship Award)

Sponsored by Capgemini

Awarded to the club who has made real change within their community to tackle the stigma.

– Jurassic Pork
– Loughborough University Women’s Rugby Club
– Jersey RFC
– Leodiensian RUFC
– Chiswick RFC
– Mad Refs (Manchester & District Referee Society)
– Sandbach RUFC
– Boroughmuir Rugby
– Saracens
– Camelot RUFC

Heart of the Club (Lifetime Award)

Sponsored by Charles Tyrwhitt

For the person who has kept their club alive through thick and thin, the beating heart of the place, no matter the challenge.

LooseHead of the Year (Mental Health Champion)

Sponsored by Onebright

Awarded to the mental health champion making real change, creating a club where everyone feels safe, supported, and seen.

Rugbyness Award

Recognising the individual whose leadership and impact has had a positive effect on their club and the wider LooseHeadz community. This award celebrates someone who lives the values of rugbyness through their actions, advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Impact Initiative of the Year (New for 2026!)

Sponsored by Titan Wealth

Celebrating the club, team or organisation that has turned an idea into real impact, leading the way through innovation and action to create positive change for players, strengthening club culture, and making a lasting difference in their community.

– Black Out The Stigma Campaign – Petersfield RFC | Petersfield RFC launched a Blackout the Stigma away kit in line with World Suicide Prevention Day and in partnership with LooseHeadz to take their support of mental health on the road and help tackle the stigma far and wide.

– Porkfest – Jurassic Pork | PorkFest is Jurassic Porks’ biggest fundraising event of the year. A celebration of rugby, music and community, bringing together players and supporters from clubs across the UK to raise vital funds for LooseHeadz. With nearly 40 rugby clubs represented, exhibition matches, live music and appearances from rugby stars, PorkFest perfectly captures Jurassic Porks’ mission to bring people together and create a space where everyone feels welcome.

– Future Stars Festival – Camelot RUFC | The first Future Stars Festival took place in April 2026 for a celebration of youth rugby, bringing together young players, families, coaches and clubs for a day built around rugby, community and the values that make the game special. Hosted by Camelot RUFC, the festival puts sportsmanship, teamwork, respect and enjoyment alongside performance, while its fundraising challenge helps young players make a positive difference by supporting LooseHeadz and our mission to tackle mental health stigma in rugby.

– Tommy Dann Cup | The Tommy Dann Cup is an annual rugby match between the Leys and Perse Old Boys in memory of Tommy Dann, who sadly left us in February 2021. Tommy poured his heart and soul into rugby, inspiring and encouraging those around him. He was admired for his dedication to his students and his innate ability to inspire them to achieve their best.

– U10s Clubman Values – Instonians Rugby Club | Instonians Rugby Club’s U10s Clubman Award was created to go beyond the traditional “Player of the Week”, recognising the qualities and behaviours that make a great teammate as much as what happens on the pitch. Each week, coaches focused on a different value – from grit, resilience and selflessness to courage, honesty and accountability. Reinforcing the message throughout training and matches before awarding a player a certificate to take home and keep. The initiative gives young players a lasting reminder that the standards, mindset and character they show within rugby are just as important as the result.

And then there’s Try of the Year…

One award will be decided a little differently.

The Try of the Year shortlist will be revealed live on the night, with everyone attending the LooseHeadz Awards given the opportunity to vote for their winner.

So, if you want a say in who takes home the award, you’ll need to be there!

What happens next?

The judging panel will now select the Top 3 finalists in each category, with those finalists announced during the week of 7 September.

Join us at the LooseHeadz Awards

The LooseHeadz Awards will bring together the people, clubs and communities who are making a difference across rugby for an evening of celebration, recognition and connection.

📅 Wednesday 7 October 2026
📍 De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London

We’d love to see as many of our shortlisted clubs, individuals and their supporters there as possible.

To find out more or reserve your places, get in touch with events@looseheadz.co.uk for partner club pricing.

Rugby is more than a game.

And these people are proof of that.

Congratulations to everyone who has made this year’s shortlist, and thank you for everything you do for your clubs, your teammates and your communities.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you in October.