Welsh Women’s rugby legend Non Evans and former Wales Under 21 and current Whitchurch High School rugby coach Steve Williams were both honoured with special tankards to mark their huge contributions to the game.
For Evans, who recently announced her retirement from the 15-a-side game, the tribute came on a night when women’s rugby made a major breakthrough with England and Saracens flanker Maggie Alphonse becoming
the first female winner of the prestigious Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
“Non has enjoyed an incredible career and has also bounced back from bad injuries. Her total commitment on the rugby field, as in every sport in which she has taken part, marked her out as a very special athlete,” said RUWC chairman, Paul Morgan.
Whitchurch High School stalwart Steve Williams was among six very special rugby men and women honoured by the Rugby Union Writers’ Club for their services to the game at their 50th annual dinner in London this week.
The 63-year-old Williams, who heads up the in-house Estates Team at the school, joined British & Irish Lions doctor James Robson and England World Cup winner Ben Kay in following Evans to the podium.
“Steve had a good career as a player and an excellent career as a coach, but as a Club we wanted to honour his life-long service to the game as a teacher at Whitchurch HS,” said Morgan, who is the Editor of Rugby World magazine.
“Our coveted awards have been in place since the seventies and our members scour the country trying to uncover worthy recipients. We want them to know that we appreciate their efforts and acknowledge the commitment they have shown to the game.
“Steve’s credentials are right up there with all our Tankard winners down the years. Without the hard work, strong leadership qualities and wholehearted determination shown by him and so many other school teachers and coaches down the years the game of rugby union wouldn’t be in the thriving shape it currently enjoys.
“The work of games teachers at our schools is far too often overlooked or down graded. People like Steve, and I’m sure so many others at his school and others up and down the country, are the life-blood of our game.
“When we heard about his near 40 years of service at his school, along with his determination to run two senior sides every Saturday, against increasing odds and interference we felt we had to show our support and appreciation of his efforts.”
The recently retired Lions, England and London Wasps prop Phil Vickery was presented with the Club’s ‘Special Award’ before history was made when Alphonse received the Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
