North Kesteven have become the first club in Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire to achieve the prestigious RFU Seal of Approval.

The award and Sport England's Club Mark, is only given to clubs who meet the highest standards in providing a safe, effective and child-friendly environment in which youngsters can learn their sport and develop their skills.

The Seal of Approval scheme is a joint initiative between the RFU, Sport England and the Active Sports programme designed to raise the standards of youth rugby across the country.

North Kesteven, who are based at North Hykeham near Lincoln, have a flourishing youth section, which includes a girls rugby section. They reached the high standards required for the Seal of Approval and satisfied the criteria required at various stages of the application process.

They were presented with their Seal of Approval certificate by Francis Baron, the RFU's chief executive, at a reception at the Lawn Centre in Lincoln during the recent NL&D leg of the Sweet Chariot Tour.