DEDICATED duo Barrie and Corinne Winwood’s hard work was rewarded at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Braintree Rugby Club stalwarts rubbed shoulders with some of Team GB’s Olympic heroes at a regional awards bash, at the University of Bedfordshire.

The duo were nominated for the BBC East Sporting Unsung Hero award by local rugby player John Smillie and made it through to the final three.

They were pipped to the award by 89-year-old swimming coach Jeanne Barker of Cambridge at the awards night, which saw nominees rub shoulders with the likes of Greg Rutherford and Anthony Agogo.

Corinne said: “It was a huge honour to be nominated and very unexpected. We helped to set up the junior section of the club, so we feel it’s very much our baby.

“We have some wonderful young people up there and they make it all worthwhile.”

The Winwoods’ commitment to the cause at Braintree RFC spans more than two decades.

Their work has helped the Robbs Wood club become the first club in Essex to be granted Rugby Football Union accreditation.

Braintree are one of only three clubs in Essex to achieve the RFU Seal of Approval.

Corinne is the club’s youth and minis chairman and webmaster, in addition to co-ordinating numerous in-house events and functions.

Barrie is senior chairman at Braintree RFC, along with cluster group coaching co-ordinator, club coaching co-ordinator, under-13s coach and a referee.