CHAIRMAN David Hipkiss says he is delighted Gosford All Blacks will have the chance to be in the limelight after being nominated for club of the year at the National Rugby Awards.

Gosford, who play in the BB&O Premier Division, are among six sides to be shortlisted.

They will find out if they have won the award in a ceremony at Twickenham on September 2.

All Blacks came third in the eighth tier of English rugby last season – their highest finish since the club was founded 59 years ago.

The nomination recognises the club’s work off the pitch and, after recently winning RFU club accreditation, Hipkiss says being shortlisted for the award is recognition enough.

He added: “Following the RFU best practice guidelines we were incorporated last year which was huge for us.

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“We are a growing club and we have a thriving minis and juniors section and a big touch following as well.

“We are profitable and we reinvest all of that back into the club so we have the governance of the club right.

“We are all about community rugby and it has been a long process to get us to where we are today.”

Gosford begin their new Premier Division campaign at home to Hungerford on September 12.

Meanwhile, Abingdon face fellow Oxfordshire side Wheatley, Alchester host Tadley and Chipping Norton take on Risborough.

Lawson Keys sponsor the 2015 National Rugby Awards. Follow the Awards in The Rugby Paper www.therugbypaper.co.uk.