Mr Rowlands, a son of Aberdare and patron of the club was also president of The Welsh Academicals, and the ‘Accies’ will be taking on a combined Mountain Ash and Aberdare side to remember the former Wales and British and Irish Lions player who later became the first General Secretary of the International Rugby Board.
The Welsh Academicals were formed in Mountain Ash 80 years ago, hence the venue for the memorial match.
Current WRU Board member and Team Manager for the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa, Gerald Davies, has taken over the presidency of the Welsh Academicals following Keith Rowlands’s sudden death last November.
Gerald Davies said, “Keith Rowlands was the president of the Welsh Academicals and it was a great tragedy when a year ago he sadly died.
“The Welsh Academicals feel that going back to Mountain Ash where the Welsh Academicals began, an area where Keith grew up, would be fitting to celebrate the late president.
“Keith certainly left big boots to fill – when I look at Keith’s career he covered the lot. He played for Cardiff, Wales and the British Lions and then followed the same route as an administrator, becoming a committee man with Cardiff then the Welsh Rugby Union and then he went onto the International Board.
“He reached the highest of honours and was involved in the establishment of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 and of course was here when the RWC came to Wales in 1999.
“Keith died very suddenly after the Wales v Canada game as did Ray Gravell who was also taken from us all so suddenly. Keith wanted to have a good period as president and it’s tragic his time with us was cut short. Although he was delighted that his first year in office saw Wales win a Grand Slam.”
Dennis Gethin, who was elected WRU President in October, said, “December 19th will be a very special day at Mountain Ash RFC.
“Keith was a great personal friend of mine and a great president of the WRU albeit for only 2 years. He was always most at home on a touchline. He’ll always be sorely missed but this match will be a great testament to his wife Joan, his daughter Joanne, his son-in-law Colin and his grand daughter Manon.
“It will be a chance to see some talented players and dedicated youngsters play rugby in the true spirit of the game.
“I played many a game for the Accies and I remember a tour to Cornwall in the early 60s with greats such as Gerald Davies. Gerald had four games and won all four, it was games like these when people realised players such as Gerald Davies would make a big mark in the game. They also made you grow up very quickly.”
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