Dennis Gethin, who became president of the Welsh Rugby Union in 2007 and is also president of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust for injured players, said, “It is a great honour and I have so many people to thank, especially the grassroots clubs.”
Gethin was a first class full back in his playing days, obtaining two Rugby Blues while at Cambridge and representing his home club of Severn Sisters before going on to play for Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Glamorgan Wanderers before giving up rugby to concentrate on his legal career.
He was Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union between 1998 and 2003, overseeing the construction of the Millennium Stadium and the 1999 Rugby World Cup, but says it’s his role as WRU president, and association with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust that have been most enjoyable.
“Everyone in Welsh rugby has been so helpful throughout my career but my time as president has certainly been most rewarding and I owe this accolade to Welsh rugby clubs, and to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust. I must also thank my wife Janet, who has been a superb help to me throughout this time.”
WRU chairman Gareth Davies added, “Dennis is thoroughly deserving of this honour, he is totally committed to Welsh rugby at all levels. He makes an ideal president as he truly represents all facets of Welsh rugby, having played the game at the top end, administered the Welsh Rugby Union and through his commitment to grassroots clubs and work with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
Born 24 May 1944. One of seven children raised in a Welsh speaking family in the small mining village of Seven Sisters near Neath in the Dulais Valley of South Wales, Dennis’s father and eldest brother were both miners.
At Neath Grammar School, where he became Head Prefect, he was encouraged to pursue his twin passions of history and rugby and won a place at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he continued to do both. Recognising that Law might offer a more promising career path than history, he switched track and graduated after four years, achieving both a Master of Arts Degree, and a Master of Laws Degree.
After leaving college in 1967 Dennis went on to train as a solicitor and qualified in 1971. Following a brief period in private practice he joined Glamorgan County Council as their assistant solicitor and remained there for 2 years before moving to Taff Ely Borough Council where he became the Council’s Chief Executive.
After his five year spell as WRU secretary, he joined the BBC Broadcasting Council in Wales and was a member from 2004-2009.
Dennis also holds the posts of:
• President Wales Deaf Rugby
• Chairman Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, a charity dedicated to providing help and support to severely injured rugby players.
• Patron Glamorgan County Rugby
• Life member of Welsh Academicals RFC and Seven Sisters RFC
• President Cor Meibion Pontypridd
• Vice President Cor Meibion De Cymru
Nigel Owens has paid tribute to his family, friends and the sport of rugby union after being awarded an MBE for Services to Sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Owens is Wales’ most capped referee, and after taking control of Fiji v Tonga on Saturday, Owens will become the world’s most capped rugby referee with 71 caps.
He has refereed five European Champions Cup Finals and three Guinness Pro12 Finals. He is an ambassador for anti-bullying campaigns and organisations, mental health awareness and LGBT equality causes.
Owens said, “It’s a huge honour to be recognised in this way. Refereeing has opened up so many doors to me since I took up the whistle as a teenager, as soon as I realised I wasn’t going to make it as a player. Refereeing, and becoming a full time WRU referee has enabled me to play a part in some of the biggest club and international matches and occasions in world rugby, and of course taking charge of the Rugby World Cup Final last year was one of the most memorable events in world sport and I’m grateful for every opportunity.
“Communication is important to me on and off the field. Rugby has enabled me to be who I am today and I hope that talking about my off-field experiences such as coming out and depression helps other people to come to terms with their own personal battles. I would like to thank the WRU and all of the rugby community for their support over the years, especially through the difficult years in my personal life. Most of all, I’d like to thank my dad, my late mum and all my friends in and out of rugby for all the love and support over the years. I owe more to them and to the great sport that is rugby union than they or rugby will ever owe to me.”
WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said, “Nigel is thoroughly deserving of this honour. He has reached the top of his career as a professional referee, and he is also a fantastic ambassador, not only for Welsh rugby but for Wales as he represents the Welsh Rugby Union around the world. He cuts through every barrier with his unique communication skills, which are obvious on the rugby field, but also off it in his tireless efforts to reach out to the most vulnerable people in society, those that feel they have nowhere to turn. He uses his own experiences to make a difference to others going through similar situations which is a remarkable quality.”
WRU chairman Gareth Davies said, “Wales has always produced great international referees, from the likes of Gwynne Walters to the previous most capped Welsh referee, Derek Bevan. However, it is fair to say that Nigel is certainly one of the best referees in the professional age, if not the best. Rugby union makes huge demands on match officials in the modern era, but Nigel not only manages games to the best of his ability, his impeccable communication and refereeing skills enabling him to play a key part in some of the best club and international matches in recent years, but he’s able to add humour and humility in equal measure.”
WRU match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse said, “This honour is richly deserved by Nigel who has been a credit not only to Welsh rugby and rugby union but an inspiration to many in Wales and further afield. He has personally made refereeing in Wales – and around the world – an appealing pathway for potential elite referees and community refs alike. We currently have an unprecedented number of young people taking referee courses and making their way in the game. This is in no small part down to Nigel and his unique likability.”
