THE chairman of a Bury rugby league club was honoured for his dedication to the sport before this year’s Grand Final.

Bury Broncos RLFC chairman Ryan Lewis was named Volunteer of the Year at the RFL Community Awards ceremony before the big game at Old Trafford stadium.

Despite the award recognising Mr Lewis’s individual efforts, the award also reflects the hard work put in by all the volunteers who help the club run, thrive and grow.

The judges praised Mr Lewis’s key role in the development of the club since its early days, and how his role has continued to grow and develop at great pace to match that of the club itself.

It is the second year in a row Bury Broncos has been recognised at the national awards, after coach Dave Kelly won Coach of the Year last year.

Mr Lewis said: “It’s great that people are taking note of the fantastic strides being made off the field, and hopefully this bodes well for the future of the club to be built on these solid foundations.

“The next couple of years will be big ones for the Broncos on and off the field as we approach our 10th birthday, and continue to introduce more people to the game of rugby league.”