Coach nominated for health charity award

A local rugby player was nominated for an award for his work promoting a mental health charity.
Sandbach Rugby Club’s Mike Grapes was nominated for The LooseHead of the Year in the LooseHeadz Community Awards, organised by rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz.
The awards took place on Thursday in London.
LooseHeadz aims to place a mental health lead in every rugby club around the world and help tackle the stigma surrounding mental health.
The charity has more than 1,200 clubs in 28 countries signed up and is building a global community united around a shared mission to turn the tide against poor mental health.
Mr Grapes, a Sandbach player, U12 coach, and sponsor of the U12 team through his business, Mike Grapes Building Services, was instrumental in setting up the now-annual fixture between Sandbach and LooseHeadz.
The first match took place in August 2024, with the second held this summer.
After the inaugural Bradley Peace Memorial Cup between Sandbach and LooseHeadz, Mr Grapes said he planned to “build on the momentum” of the fixture — and did so by arranging a special family-friendly day.
It included two rugby matches, bouncy castles, and hospitality, with a focus on the vital work LooseHeadz does to tackle mental health in rugby.
This year’s event kicked off with Sandbach Sabres taking on LooseHeadz Women XV. Following the women’s match was the Bradley Peace Memorial Cup fixture between Sandbach Social XV and LooseHeadz XV. Together, the teams raised £2,538 for LooseHeadz to support its ongoing work.
The Bradley Peace Memorial Cup is named in memory of Mr Grapes’ brother Bradley, who took his own life two years ago.
Mr Grapes said: “My brother was 27 when he took his own life. Once the lads found out, the support was overwhelming and really helped me mentally.
“I wanted to take something positive from such a tough situation, and linking up with LooseHeadz has been incredible. It’s helped spread the message that there’s always a better option and made sure every player at Sandbach knows they’re never alone, all the while keeping my brother’s memory alive.”
Paul Jackson, Sandbach’s chairman, said: “We aim to support rugby at all levels and those that are part of the rugby family. It’s fantastic to see one of our own nominated for his efforts to go above and beyond to help others and sets an example to us all. Congratulations on your nomination from the club.”
Mr Grapes was pipped to the LooseHead of the Year award on the night by Jonny Cartwright, aka “@the_bald_ref on Instagram”. He is part of the Manchester and District Rugby Union Referees’ Society (MadRefs) and Lymm RFC. He helped officiate a joint training session between Sandbach and Stoke RUFC in the summer and was one of the referees involved in the “longest game” in June. This world record-breaking match was organised by LooseHeadz and Wooden Spoon, raising money for both charities.
To support LooseHeadz or for more information, visit looseheadz.co.uk.