The International Rugby Board will today present Italian club L’Aquila with the IRB Spirit of Rugby Award 2009 in association with Emirates Airline following an extraordinary year which saw the Rugby club aid and support its local community.

In April 2009, an earthquake struck the Rugby dominated town of L’Aquila, killing 300 people and leaving thousands homeless. Amongst those killed was promising young prop Lorenzo Sebastiani who had represented Italy at the IRB Junior World Championship in Wales just 10 months before.

In true reflection of the Spirit of Rugby, L’Aquila Rugby Club became the pounding heart of a shocked and debilitated community, providing shelter, refuge and comfort to those within it.

L’Aquila’s Rugby players placed themselves in the front line, contributing significant strength to the rescue effort and constructing shelters across the pitch for the newly homeless.

Alessandro Troncon, Italy's most capped international, will present the Award at a special ceremony following the Club's first match back at the Tommaso Fattori Stadium, their home ground.

“I am delighted to see L’Aquila Rugby playing in their home ground again, less than five months after the earthquake. This is a richly deserved award and I am proud to be involved in this evening’s presentation,” said Troncon.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: “This is a very special award for a very special club. The global Rugby family were shocked and saddened by the events that unfolded in L'Aquila in April and share the grief at the loss of Lorenzo Sebastiani.”

"However, the Rugby family can take great pride and inspiration from the members of the Club for their selfless action and unwavering spirit in helping their community come to terms with their loss."

The Spirit of Rugby Award exemplifies the incredible feats that can be achieved through Rugby both on and off the field, and recognises those who through selfless action influence the lives of others, make significant contribution to their communities and demonstrate the force for good that sport can be in all areas of the world.

IRB