Steve Borthwick and Noah Cato were guests of honour at Springfield Youth Club’s annual awards presentation

Rugby stars joined Hackney sporting whiz kids this week to celebrate their youth club’s 48th annual awards presentation.

England and Saracens players Steve Borthwick and Noah Cato were guests of honour at Springfield Youth Club’s prize-giving bash in Big Hill on Monday evening (December 6).

Their appearance follows that of impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner last year and Lewis Hamilton, the club’s honorary vice-president and the 2008 world motor racing champion, in 2006 and 2007.

Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart is president of the club and previous guests include Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Damon Hill.

This year’s sporting heroes spoke to the club, which has more than 80 members aged 10 to 16, about their careers and helped present awards marking successes in events such as athletics, table tennis and football.

“It was quite insightful,” said senior youth worker Stephen Herbert.

“We have never had rugby players as our guests of honour so it was quite different.

“It is nice for our members to see these people on the television presenting the awards to them – it inspires them.”