The New England Free Jacks, reigning MLR champions, have partnered with the Massachusetts State Lottery to launch the “Impact Free Jack” Outstanding Community Honoree Awards.
This initiative will recognize 16 individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities throughout the 2025 season. The Free Jacks are looking for nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England. This isn’t just about recognizing rugby fans; it’s about celebrating the heart of the community.
Nominated by peers, the honorees will be celebrated at each of the Free Jacks’ home games. The partnership aims to highlight and reward everyday heroes who embody the values of service and community, aligning with the Free Jacks’ mission of making a positive impact both on and off the field.
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who we’re looking for
The Free Jacks are looking for nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England. This isn’t just about recognizing rugby fans; it’s about celebrating the heart of the community. Whether it’s a volunteer who spends countless hours supporting local charities, a teacher who goes the extra mile for their students, or a local business owner who makes a difference through acts of kindness—anyone who positively impacts the lives of others is eligible.
No act of service is too small, and no community too far. The Free Jacks want to hear stories from all six New England states about individuals who embody the spirit of giving and service.
NOMINATE
If you know someone who has made a lasting difference in your community, now is the perfect time to share their story. Help the Free Jacks celebrate the unsung heroes who make New England a better place for us all. Submit your nominations and let’s celebrate the power of kindness, generosity, and community spirit!
Terms and Conditions
The Impact Free Jack Program
Presented by the Massachusetts State Lottery
Program Rules
- Eligibility Restrictions. In order to be eligible to participate in the Impact Free Jack Program presented by the Massachusetts State Lottery (the “Program”),
- Nominators must be legal residents of the U.S. who are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the nomination date;
- Nominees must be:
- at least thirteen (13) years of age or older as of the nomination date,
- be residents of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Connecticut, and
- have not previously been selected as an Impact Free Jack (as defined in Section 3).
- Employees, household members (legally related or not) of employees, and the immediate family members (i.e., spouses, parents, legal guardians, in-laws, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and children) of employees of the following entities are not eligible for nomination:
- Massachusetts State Lottery Commission,
- ThunderCo, LLC, doing business as the New England Free Jacks (“Free Jacks”),
- Major League Rugby and its Member Teams,
- and/or each of the respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, governors, owners, advertising agencies and promotion agencies and agents of the foregoing entities above. In these Program rules (the “Program Rules”), the above entities (i)(iv), and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, governors, owners, advertising agencies, promotion agencies, and agents, are collectively referred to as the “Partner Entities”.
- By submitting a Nomination Statement (as defined below), each nominator represents and warrants that he/she meets the above eligibility requirements and agrees to abide by these Program Rules, and the individual nominated therein meets the above eligibility requirements.
- Nomination Process. To nominate an eligible nominee, completely fill out and submit the nomination statement (“Nomination Statement”) electronically online at https://freejacks.com/community/impact-free-jack/ (“Nomination Website”).
- As part of the Nomination Statement, nominators must submit a statement detailing how the nominee made exceptional and lasting contributions to the community through his/her unique commitment and humanitarian spirit.
- Nominations must be submitted using the Nomination Website; mail-in nominations will not be accepted. Nominations will be accepted on an ongoing basis for the duration of the Program, with such duration to be determined by the Free Jacks in their sole discretion.
- Nomination Statements submitted during prior years of the Program that meet all requirements of these Program Rules will also be considered.
- Nomination Statements must be submitted in English only.
- Nominations must be submitted on behalf of another person or group of people; self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominators should note their desire for multiple nominees to be considered as a group, but such consideration cannot be guaranteed.
- False or deceptive nominations or acts may render a nominee ineligible. All Nomination Statements become the property of the Free Jacks and will not be returned.
- The Free Jacks reserve the right to edit the Nomination Statement as they see fit for use in publication or promotion. By submitting a Nomination Statement, a nominator agrees to grant the Sponsors the right without obligation, unless prohibited by law, to use the contents of the Nomination Statement and nominator’s name, voice, picture and likeness, without compensation, for the purpose of advertising and publicizing all matters related to the Program and/or the Sponsors in any medium, throughout the world in perpetuity.
- The Sponsors are not responsible for the actions of nominators in connection with the Program.
- Each Nomination Statement must be the original work of the nominator and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If the Nomination Statement or any other Program entry content contains any material or elements that are not owned by the nominator and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the nominator is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of such content, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use of such content in the manner set forth in these Program Rules without additional compensation. Illegible and/or incomplete Nomination Statements and nominations submitted by nominators or for nominees who do not meet the eligibility requirements (including all requirements with respect to age and residence) will not be considered.
- Those who do not follow all of the instructions, provide the required information in their Nomination Statement, or abide by these Program Rules or any other instructions of the Sponsors may be removed from consideration.
- Impact Free Jack Selection. The Free Jacks will review and select nominees to be recognized in connection with the Program (the “Impact Free Jack” and each “Honoree”). on an ongoing basis and notify such Impact Free Jack by e-mail or telephone following their selection. Nominators should notify the Sponsors if the nominator’s or nominee’s contact information changes. Submission of a nomination does not guarantee selection. The Free Jacks reserve the right to select nominees identified by alternate methods in their sole and absolute discretion.
- Definitions of Terminology.
- Nominator: A legal U.S. resident who is at least eighteen (18) years of age who submits a nomination for the Impact Free Jack Program on behalf of another individual or group.
- Nominee: An individual or group being nominated to be recognized as an Impact Free Jack. The Nominee must be at least thirteen (13) years old and reside in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Connecticut. Note: Not all nominees will be selected as an Honoree (see definition below)
- Honoree: A Nominee who has been selected by the Free Jacks as an Impact Free Jack to be recognized for their exceptional community contributions.
- Partner: Includes the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, ThunderCo, LLC (doing business as the New England Free Jacks), Major League Rugby and its Member Teams, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, governors, owners, advertising and promotion agencies, and agents.
- Nomination Statement: The written statement submitted by a Nominator that details how the Nominee has made significant and lasting contributions to the community.
- Sponsors: Refers to the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission and the New England Free Jacks, who are responsible for administering the Impact Free Jack Program.
- Program: Refers to the Impact Free Jack Program presented by the Massachusetts State Lottery and managed by the New England Free Jacks.
- Additional Terms. Any recognition provided to an Honoree will be determined by the Free Jacks in their sole discretion.
- The Sponsors will not be required to recognize a Honoree:
- if he/she undertakes activities or communicates messages or images or engages in speech publicly or made known publicly that: (a) are sexually explicit, unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group;
- are obscene or offensive, or may create public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule;
- defame or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any third party’s personal or intellectual property rights or contain disparaging remarks about other people or entities;
- are inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill to which the Sponsors wish to associate, as determined by the Sponsors, in their sole and absolute discretion; and/or
- otherwise violate the terms of any of the agreements that the Honoree has agreed to comply with as part of this Program.
- Except where prohibited by law, in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Program, each Honoree must agree and consent, without further authorization, compensation or remuneration of any kind, to:
- the use of such Honoree’s name, voice, biographical material, nomination materials, other Program entry content, and/or likeness, in all forms of media and by all manners (now and hereafter known), worldwide, in perpetuity, in any and all advertising, promotion and other publicity conducted by the Partner Entities and the MLR Entities, and
- agree not to issue any publicity concerning the Partner Entities or MLR Entities. Each Honoree may be required to execute a release of liability, publicity release and/or an affidavit affirming his/her eligibility to be selected as a Honoree and that he/she agrees to all terms and conditions of the Program, including these Program Rules, and other documentation reasonably requested by a Sponsor (collectively, the “Required Documentation”); failure to execute such Required Documentation if requested will result in ineligibility for any recognition and another Honoree will be selected. In the event a Honoree is under the age of eighteen (18), a parent or legal guardian of the Honoree will be required to execute the Required Documentation on behalf of the Honoree.
- Limitation of Liability. Nominators and nominees accepting their selection as a Honoree agree that (a) the Sponsors maintain the right to decide all matters and disputes arising from the Program, and (b) to hold harmless and indemnify the Partner Entities from and against any liability, damages, or causes of actions (however named or described), with respect to or arising out of: (i) their participation in the Program, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death and/or property damage, as well as claims based on publicity rights, defamation and/or invasion of privacy; and (ii) the delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of, misuse of, or inability to use any prize (including any type or manner of costs or damages), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty, or any other theory. Further, each nominator and Honoree agrees that the Partner Entities will have no liability and will be held harmless by such nominator and Honoree for any liability, loss, injury, or damage to property or to person, including death, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, participation in, use or misuse of any prize or participation in the Program, even if caused or contributed to by the negligence of any of the Partner Entities.
- Disputes. Nominators and nominees accepting their selection as a Honoree agree, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that: (a) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Program or any recognition awarded, will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (b) such individual hereby knowingly and expressly waives all rights to seek, punitive, incidental, exemplary, consequential or special damages, lost profits, and/or any right to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Program Rules or the rights and obligations of the nominators, nominees, Impact Free Jack and the Sponsors in connection with the Program will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other state’s laws. The forum and venue for any dispute shall be in Massachusetts.
- Privacy. Nominees may be contacted to provide additional information and/or to have their information verified. Sponsors reserve the right to request and require additional information from nominees in order to have their nomination considered. Personally identifiable information that is submitted by nominators as part of the Program will only be used to administer the Program and select and recognize the Impact Free Jack, and will be treated in accordance with the Free Jacks privacy policy.
- Sponsors. Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125); and the New England Free Jacks (1400 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169).
- Miscellaneous. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Program Rules or the Required Documentation will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision of the Program Rules or the Required Documentation is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained therein. The Sponsors’ failure to enforce any term of these Program Rules will not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. Nominators and nominees accepting their selection as an Honoree agree to waive any rights to claim ambiguity of these Program Rules. Headings are solely for convenience of reference and will not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning or intent of the documents or any provision hereof. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any Program-related materials, privacy policy, or terms of use on the Nomination Website and/or the terms and conditions of the Program Rules, the Program Rules shall prevail, govern, and control, and the discrepancy will be resolved in the Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion.
thank you to mass lottery
Each year, the Massachusetts State Lottery returns net profits to the Commonwealth for distribution of essential unrestricted local aid to all 351 cities and towns.
Lottery funds are not earmarked for any specific programs, allowing cities and towns to choose how they would like to allocate their funds. Examples of how these funds are utilized include public safety staffing and equipment, snow removal, local road improvements, school services, programs for seniors, and parks and recreation projects.
Unrestricted local aid is distributed by the Department of Revenue according to a formula established by the State Legislature.
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impact free jack faq
Who Should I Nominate?
The Free Jacks are looking for nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England. This isn’t just about recognizing rugby fans; it’s about celebrating the heart of the community. Whether it’s a volunteer who spends countless hours supporting local charities, a teacher who goes the extra mile for their students, or a local business owner who makes a difference through acts of kindness—anyone who positively impacts the lives of others is eligible.
No act of service is too small, and no community too far. The Free Jacks want to hear stories from all six New England states about individuals who embody the spirit of giving and service.
How Do I Nominate Someone?
Nominations will be open throughout the season, and it’s simple to get involved. Think of someone whose contributions have made your community a better place, and submit their name and story through the Free Jacks’ nomination form above. Honorees will be selected and announced monthly, with each receiving special recognition at one of the Free Jacks’ regular season home matches in Quincy, MA.
Why does this Matter?
By nominating someone for the Impact Free Jack Award, you’re not just giving them a moment in the spotlight—you’re helping to inspire others and strengthen the bonds within your community. As Alex Magleby, CEO of the Free Jacks, explains, “The Impact Free Jack award is a testament to the power of service and the positive difference one person can make. It epitomizes the very definition of being a Free Jack.”
With this initiative, the Free Jacks and the Massachusetts State Lottery aim to shine a light on those who make New England stronger through their dedication to others. Whether it’s through acts of compassion, leadership, or community service, these honorees will remind us that true champions aren’t just found on the field—they’re found in everyday life.