Rhino Prop Star 2018

Rhino has launched its annual search for the game’s greatest grassroots prop with the winner set to be crowned at Twickenham later this year.

Last year’s inaugural Prop Star saw Streatham-Croydon’s Rhiannon Kennedy win a public vote after being shortlisted alongside Bolton’s Jon Paul Hardman and Beckenham’s James Cleverly. She was announced as the winner at half-time during the Varsity Match between Cambridge University and Oxford University and presented with her Prop Star trophy by England’s Rugby World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson.

This year’s prize includes:       

·         Bespoke post protectors for your club
·         British & Irish Lions hit shield, as used by the 2017 squad
·         Customised Rhino hoodies for all three finalists
·         VIP Varsity Match experience for all three finalists
·         Bespoke Rhino Prop Star trophies for all three finalists

To nominate a prop at your club who goes beyond the call of duty all you have to do is submit the entry at the link below telling us why you think they deserve to be named Prop Star 2018. Entries close on Monday 1st October 2018.

Harlequins, England and British and Irish Lions legend Jason Leonard will chair the judging panel of international judges. He said: "Last year’s Prop Star justifiably highlighted what we already knew – that props are brilliant human beings. I’m looking forward to discovering even more wonderful props, although they’ll have to go some to match last year’s winner Rhiannon."

Reg Clark, CEO, Rhino said: "Scrummaging is at the very core of the Rhino brand and it's entirely appropriate that we should be the cheerleader for props. Prop Star is our way of showing our appreciation for this special type of rugby player, and especially those many amongst them who are club stalwarts both off and on the pitch. If this year's competition lives up to the standards of the inaugural one last year, we will be delighted."

How it works
Once you have nominated your prop, presuming they fulfil the entry criteria (see rules at the bottom of this page), they will appear on Rhino's social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and this is your chance to start drumming up support for them by getting your friends and family to retweet and share their nomination.
These nominated props will then be shortlisted to three by our panel of expert judges chaired by Jason Leonard. The judging panel will be announced at a later date.
This shortlist of three will then go to a public vote on Rhino's channels with a winner chosen by Thursday 6th December 2018 when the award will be presented at the Varsity Match at Twickenham. 

The rules
1) All entrants must be active, playing, amateur rugby players.
2) Shortlisted props must be available to attend the Varsity Match on Thursday 6th December, 2018. No travel expenses will be paid to or from Twickenham.
3) All nominated props will appear on Rhino's social media channels for the duration of Prop Star 2018 and beyond in promotion of future Prop Star competitions.
4) All supplied imagery must be rights-free and available for Rhino to use free of charge across all social media, digital and print platforms in relation to Rhino Prop Star promotional activity.
5) There are no alternative prizes or cash alternatives.
6) Prizes will only be sent to a UK postal address.
7) The closing date for all entries is midnight, 01.10.18.
8) The shortlisting is subject to the judges' decision and that decision is final - no correspondence will be entered into.
9) The competition is open to players and rugby clubs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
10) Entry is open to props of all ages, but those under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian before being nominated. Should they reach the Twickenham final they must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.