Saints star Mallinder claims big Community award

While current government guidelines prevented the usual star-studded awards ceremony from taking place in London this year, the 24-year-old full-back still scooped the gong ahead of an impressive list of nominees and was instead presented with the award at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Gallagher Community Player of the Season award recognises those who have given their all off the pitch as well as on it, going the extra mile to make a difference in their local community.

And Mallinder, who has spent much of the past 12 months on the sidelines recovering from a serious knee injury, was chosen ahead of Sam James (Sale Sharks), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) and Jacob Umaga (Wasps) thanks to his unrelenting passion to help Northampton Saints Foundation.

“I’m very pleased to have won the award, but a little bit embarrassed too at the same time because I don’t feel like my efforts so far have been enough, and there’s still a long way to go in terms of my involvement in our Foundation,” said Mallinder.

“I really want to push the rest of the playing squad to get more involved in these programmes too when we come back in for next season.”

Mallinder has been an ambassador for Northampton Saints Foundation since January 2018, actively supporting and promoting the charity’s work with disadvantaged young people who are not in full-time education, training or employment, or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

“At the start, when I got my big knee injury, meeting these kids gave me a lot of perspective,” recalled Mallinder.

“The most important thing in my life at that time was my rehab, but to have something else to put my energy into was very beneficial for me and it’s a great feeling to know it might have helped some other people as well.”