Verity Smith is Prop Star of the Year

“Vez,” who plays for Rotherham Ladies, was named the Rhino Prop Star of the Year at yesterday’s Varsity Match at Twickenham.

The 37-year-old won a public vote against two other nominees after his story struck a chord with rugby people and non-rugby people alike.

Verity is transitioning from a woman to a man and has fought prejudice and ignorance to help more LGBT people compete in sport and rugby in particular.

“It’s not about being a role model, it’s about people like me seeing what I have done and thinking they can do the same,” said Verity before discovering he had won the award.