30 Dec 2024

CHAIRMAN KEN DAVY INCLUDED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST

Huddersfield Giants chairman Ken Davy has been included in the King's New Year Honours list, as he receives an OBE for his services to Community Rugby League.

One of the most prestigious honours to be awarded, our chairman has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to Community Rugby League in the King's New Years Honours List, published this evening.

The club and the surrounding community are extremely proud of Ken and send our gratitude to himself and his family.

Ken Davy reacted to the news he would receive an OBE.

“When I received the news of the Honour I was absolutely delighted and pleased beyond words, however, testament must go to the thousands of volunteers who are out in all weathers helping young people get involved in Rugby League. These youngsters have fun and enjoy themselves whilst also developing as people and gaining fitness along with vital life skills, such as individual responsibility and discipline. Credit really does have to go to these voluntary unsung heroes who do so much valuable work both locally and throughout the whole of the rugby league community.

"My greatest personal regret of course is that my wonderful wife, Jennifer, isn’t around to celebrate this Honour with us. She would undoubtedly have been incredibly pleased and very proud.

"It’s also a feather in the cap for everyone involved with the Huddersfield Giants, and puts us in even better heart for the upcoming season. The Giant's players are preparing well and Robbo and the coaching staff are working hard to get everyone ready. We don’t want to overpromise, but we are all very determined to improve on our last couple of seasons.”

Richard Thewlis, Managing Director of the Huddersfield Giants also paid tribute to Ken.

"On behalf of the clubs board, coaches, players and staff we send our congratulations to Ken on this very well deserved and prestigious honour. 

"There is little doubt that our club would not be where it is today without Ken and his family but also the wider game of rugby league has benefitted enormously for his involvement in our great game. He has always put the games wider interests above any club gains and his integrity and leadership was recognised a few years back by the clubs when they asked him to lead the Super League at a very difficult time, a challenge which of course he accepted and i'm sure has been recognised by everyone as being the right thing for the game as a whole. 

"He has now returned to the role of chairman at our club and it will be a source of great pride I am sure to the entire Giants family to at last see the title of the Order of the British Empire bestowed upon Ken."

Tony Sutton, Tony Sutton, the Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League has paid tribute to the figures within Rugby League who have also received honours.

“It is a privilege to pay tribute on behalf of the RFL and the sport of Rugby League to four individuals who have made such significant contributions over several decades, and for whom this recognition is so richly deserved.

“Ken Davy and Paul Caddick have made their impact off the field, with significant and consistent investment in and leadership of two of Rugby League’s great Yorkshire clubs, both founder members of the Northern Union in 1895, who have enjoyed considerable success under their stewardship.

“Paul Caddick’s partnership with Gary Hetherington has underpinned the most successful era in Leeds’s history since the takeover at the end of the first Super League season in 1996, while that was also the year when Ken Davy became chairman of a Huddersfield club who were then in the Second Division.

“In the subsequent three decades, and especially since 2003, the Giants have become an established Super League club, winning the League Leaders Shield in 2013, and reaching three Challenge Cup Finals. None of that would have been possible without Ken, and I know he will be pleased to be recognised for his services to community Rugby League reflecting the development of the sport in and around Huddersfield.

“Andrea Dobson was a true trailblazer of Women’s Rugby League in the years before the foundation of the Women’s Super League. She made her Great Britain debut as a 16-year-old in 2003, holds England Heritage Number 8 after playing in the first England Women’s international in 2007, went on to play in four World Cups and to earn a tally of 30 caps which was a record when she retired.

“She has continued to drive Rugby League forwards, especially the Women’s and Girls’ game, in her role with the Sheffield Eagles Foundation.

“Like Andrea, Tony Martin is a member of the RFL’s Roll of Honour, as one of the longest-serving match officials of the modern era.

“He was already established as a leading touch judge when Super League kicked off in 1996 and maintained that status for 25 seasons, a remarkable record of durability and excellence, with numerous big match appearances including 10 Grand Finals and the 2000 World Cup Final at Old Trafford.

“It was typical of Tony that even after retirement, he continued to make himself available to officiate at grassroots and junior level in and around his native Oldham.

“Following recognition of a different form for Wigan Warriors as the BBC’s Team of the Year across all British sport, Rugby League has much to celebrate as we look forward to 2025.”

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