Rhode Island group’s award (6)

I believe the answer is:

riband

'award' is the definition.
(riband means ribbon)

'rhode island group's' is the wordplay.
'rhode island' becomes 'RI' (US postal abbreviation).
'group' becomes 'band' (band can mean a group of people).
'ri'+'band'='RIBAND'

(Other definitions for riband that I've seen before include "decorative strip" , "strip of fabric" , "Four across - is trophy for fastest Atlantic sea crossing" , "Strip of material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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