Ilkley are among 15 clubs to have won a 2012 Rugby Football Union President’s XV award.

Thanks to their £1.8 million clubhouse, they have lifted the Better Facilities category and will receive £500.

The citation reads: “Ilkley RUFC needed to replace its old club changing rooms from 1928 but the estimated cost was £1.4 million.

“Since 2007 a thorough fund-raising campaign involving the club, the RFU, the Rugby Football Foundation, Sport England and the entire Ilkley community has been undertaken.

“The project became a community sports club rather than rugby club to consolidate fund-raising.

“The new building opened in September 2011 and already participation in rugby has significantly increased.”

Among the runners-up, who both receive £100, were Wharfedale (RFU Whole Club Seal of Approval) and Halifax club Old Rishworthians (Playing Opportunities).

The awards, supported by QBE, official insurance partner of England Rugby, were launched in October last year by RFU president Willie Wildash, 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Joe Worsley and England women’s star Maggie Alphonsi.

Winners have been chosen by a panel of judges who sought to identify and reward initiatives that promote the development of rugby at a grassroots level.

Wildash said: “It’s been a phenomenal year for entries and as ever the competition was fierce.

“The quality of entries was very high this year and this made life difficult for the panel of judges.

“All the winners and runners-up named, as well as all of the others who submitted entries, are clubs doing a great job at the grass-roots end of our game, across many important development areas.

“These clubs are the heart and soul of rugby and it’s wonderful to be able to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work put in by all the volunteers involved.”