It gives me great pleasure to write this and share with you all that Canaan Thomas – Leigh RUFC Bar Chair was recently rewarded as one of the Lancashire Volunteers of the year and went on to be announced as one of the top two volunteers nominated across the county.

Canaan was initially nominated in the category Game for All. He has been one of the main organisers of the very successful Leigh Festival, held at Leigh RUFC in 2022 and 2023. The inaugural festival over the Jubilee weekend in 2022 contained a mixed ability rugby match against Salford Red Devils Physical Disability / Learning Disability Rugby League, TRY IT Rugby Academy 7s tournament and a selection of musical entertainment, as well as a selection of food stalls and the more typical beer festival. Canaan has support from James Grundy MP and Wigan Council to develop Leigh Festival, to grow attendance, profit and inclusivity of the event, making the festival a great addition to the community calendar alongside other events such as Proms at the Park and the Leigh Cricket Club festival.

Canaan was nominated for the Honda Volunteer of the Year by Alana, backed by the club, for his invaluable contribution and overall management that led to such a successful event. He was first invited to attend a volunteers recognition night at Bolton RUFC on the 7th of July, but when there, it was announced that he had been shortlisted and was one of the top two volunteers from Lancashire County.

As a result, Canaan and Alana, his partner, were invited to Twickenham on the 1st of September for a dinner with the top volunteers from all other counties across England. This also included an overnight stay and a tour of the stadium.

Day to day, Canaan is part of the Club Board of Directors as the Bar Chairperson. Through this he has implemented a lot of the festival learning into the every-day running of the rugby club. It has also allowed the club to set up outside bars for several events and rugby matches.

Canaan truly had the best interests of the club at heart, he sees the potential Leigh RUFC has to flourish, he just wants other people to realise that as well. Never satisfied with what he has achieved with the Festival, Canaan has been integral in coordinating the club bonfire night and other events on behalf of Leigh RUFC. Not only have the events benefitted the club, but they’ve also been beneficial to the community.

Out of 106 nominations for many wonderful volunteers involved in grassroots rugby across Lancashire, it’s been wonderful to see all of his hard work rewarded as he was recognised as one of the top two volunteers this year in the whole county. We are all incredibly proud of Canaan, and hugely thankful for everything he does for and on behalf of Leigh RUFC.