John Owen, immediate past president of the Rugby Football Union, knows a thing or two about caring, having provided a foster home for scores of children at his home in Shap down the years.

It was no surprise, therefore, that his visit to Bradford & Bingley RUFC to hand over the President’s XV Award in the social inclusion category was a poignant and rewarding experience for the Cumbrian.

“The President’s XV Awards, supported by QBE Insurance Group, all have a human-interest component in that they are all the product of ideas, initiatives and efforts by rugby volunteers who sustain this great game of ours,” said Owen.

“But some awards are very special in the way they relate to people and the social inclusion section is one of them.

“Bradford & Bingley’s creation of the Bumble Bees team is a terrific initiative and I hope that it acts as a beacon for similar projects across the game in the future.

“It was a pleasure to meet Anthony Brooke, whose enthusiasm inspired other people at Wagon Lane to take up the challenge, and the other members of the team.

“Their enthusiasm is tremendous and an inspiration to the people who play alongside them and help with the coaching.

“Spending an afternoon with the players was one of the most enjoyable times I’ve ever spent during my days in rugby union and I have to say it was quite an emotional experience.

“What the club have done is absolutely magnificent and if ever an award was richly deserved, this is it.”

The Bumbles Barbarians were formed after rugby fan Brooke asked a course tutor why he was not able to get a game anywhere when he was already engaged as a ball boy.

The team began training sessions with the help of the RFU and the Bradford & Bingley club agreed to give them a home.

The highlight of their inaugural season was a trip to Llanelli Warriors and a game at Parc y Scarlets, although the President’s XV Award presentation also generated a hugely enjoyable afternoon.

Bradford & Bingley received a cheque for £500 and the trophy from Peter Wilkinson, a professional indemnity underwriter from QBE’s Leeds operation, and Owen.

Club secretary Nick Patterson said: “We’re delighted to have been given this special award.

“The cash will be invaluable in helping us to support the club’s pioneering work with the Bumbles, who we hope will be recognised as a flagship team for disabled athletes playing alongside the able-bodied.

“Our thanks go to the RFU, QBE and the other members of the judging panel for giving us this great opportunity that will undoubtedly help us to continue our programme of reaching out into the community, which is helping to reinvigorate the club.”

West Yorkshire rugby development officer Hamish Pratt added: “I’m very proud that the RFU have been associated with this project from the early stages and have played a part in making the Bumble Bees a sustainable team.

“The award, which is the icing on the cake for everyone involved since those early days, is a credit to the many people who have worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

“A lot of very committed people within the club – especially team manager Mark Goodwin, who first took up the challenge thrown down by Anthony Brooke – have worked hard to create the team we have today and those people thoroughly deserve this President’s XV recognition.”