A RUGBY club has gained official accreditation.

Durham City Rugby Club has attained the Accredited Club Award from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Club president Richard Wilkinson said: “We are delighted to be awarded RFU Accredited Club status.

“Sunday mornings are a real example of the accreditation in action, not least integration with the local community and young people displaying rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.”

The award was presented by Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods at the club’s Hollow Drift ground, in Durham, on Sunday (December 15).

The MP said: “It was an absolute pleasure to present this award.

“I could see at first hand the huge amount of effort and hard work by the excellent volunteers who support the club that has gone into securing this important accreditation.

“Many, many young people play rugby at the club and make use of the excellent facilities there.

“The rugby club has a fantastic community spirit and it was wonderful to be part of this ceremony.”

The RFU awards Accredited Club status after assessing how clubs are retaining and developing players, recruiting new players, recruiting and retaining coaches, volunteers and referees, integrating with local communities and demonstrating effective and efficient management and governance and whether they have effective and efficient facilities.