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Dusty honoured for work with Tigers academy

Dusty Hare received his Foundation award from former skipper Peter Wheeler
Dusty Hare received his Foundation award from former skipper Peter Wheeler

Leicester Tigers legend Dusty Hare has received an award from the Rugby Development Foundation in recognition of his work with young players at the club’s academy.

The Foundation’s annual dinner, hosted at The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham, was attended by Tigers past and present, including Peter Wheeler, Paul Dodge, Mike Harrison, Matt Poole and Ben Youngs, plus a new generation represented by Fred Tuilagi and Under-20s international trio Ben White, Sam Lewis and Tommy Reffell.

Peter Howard, on behalf of the Foundation, said: “This evening serves as a celebration of the work of the academy and, in particular, the individuals who have made an outstanding contribution.”

Hare, rugby’s world record points-scorer who played a central role in the growth of the Tigers academy and is now a scout at the club, received the Foundation’s Investec Shield in honour of his work.

He was presented with the shield by former Tigers and England captain Wheeler, and followed in the footsteps of Dave Lyons, the inaugural coach of the Tigers Youth team in the 1970s, who received the Foundation award last year.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Rugby Development Foundation for this,” Hare said.

“Peter Howard and Robert Wills were there right at the start, when me and Andy Key moved into working with the Tigers academy full-time,” he said. “They know what it is all about and what it is worth. I’d like to personally thank them for all of their support in that time.

“The academy is extremely important to the club and with a group of players in the national Under-20s squads and the Under-18s winning their league, it has been a good year.”