LEND LEASE’S MARTIN COYD WINS MAJOR RUGBY LEAGUE ACCOLADE AT WORLD CUP DINNER
MARTIN Coyd, the Head of Environment, Health & Safety at Lend Lease, has become the sixth recipient of one of the most prestigious awards in Rugby League.
The Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award – which was handed out at a ceremony attended by the Rugby League establishment to coincide with the Rugby League World Cup – is named after the former Great Britain captain who tragically died in 2007 at the age of just 43. It recognises individuals ‘whose work within the game has consistently reflected the values of the sport over an extended period of time and who have made a significant positive contribution to Rugby League in this way.’
Martin, who was responsible for founding Army Rugby League in 1994 and currently manages the England Wheelchair Rugby League team, was given the award at The Rugby League Cares Dinner at The John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield last week.
Previous winners of the award include Rugby League luminaries such as former captain of Great Britain Jamie Peacock, legendary BBC commentator Ray French and Leeds Rhinos President, Harry Jepson.
Hailing from Warrington, Martin joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1983 and encountered numerous barriers to playing the game. He went on to install the structures on which Rugby League is now played in the Armed Forces and was appointed as the first Secretary of Army Rugby League in 1994. He also initiated the participation of the Services’ teams in the Rugby League Challenge Cup.
In recent years he has helped establish London Rugby League and Medway Dragons RLFC which now fields 13 teams from Under 6 to Masters and includes girls, women’s and wheelchair sides.
On receiving the award, Martin Coyd said: “I am truly humbled to be bracketed alongside the previous recipients and I am trying to get my head around the honour. I have had the fortune and privilege to be involved with hundreds of great people over many years, all of whom make a difference to people’s lives.”
“My time with Army Rugby League and Combined Services Rugby League was one of breaking down barriers, establishing our great sport in a new environment and making friends and earning respect around the UK and the world. Wheelchair Rugby League has given the simplest and strongest pleasures, seeing people achieve the almost impossible, playing our game with the same courage and spirit which the running game is renowned for.”
Martin’s work in Rugby League is directly relevant to his role at Lend Lease, where he is seeking to further embed a health and wellbeing culture. He signed up the firm last month to the new Government-backed Health Responsibility Deal which pledges to tackle the problem of poor health among construction workers. He also helped launch the City Mental Health Alliance last week to tackle mental health problems and improve health and wellbeing at work.
