Legend’s letter stopped me quitting
Support for Nigel
RUGBY referee Nigel Owens has revealed the touching letter he received from one of the greats of English rugby which helped him contimue as an official after he was the victim of homophobic abuse at Twickenham.
The Pontyberem whistleblower, writing in his weekly column in our sister title the Western Mail, revealed what happened after the match between England and New Zealand five years ago.
He said: “I didn’t actually hear the abuse, but it was brought to my attention afterwards and when told my reaction was one of understandable disappointment.
“Part of me even thought about quitting rugby at the time. It really did. Why should I have to deal with people not liking me, indeed even hating me, simply because of my sexuality?
“Why should those close to me have to hear it or read such comments? I’d be better off being away from the limelight, not having to put up with such nonsense.
“But, as usual, rugby rallied round - in the way rugby does.
“The RFU dealt with the incident superbly, holding an investigation and banning the two supporters from Twickenham for two years.
“The WRU stood by me, as they always do, and launched a no bystanders campaign. There had been an incident a few years earlier at a Llanelli versus Neath match and they gave me terrific support then too.
“The authorities made it clear the individuals who had shouted the homophobic abuse were the exception, rather than the rule, and they are right.
“What was also really touching after that New Zealand match was a beautiful hand-written letter I received from Bill Beaumont, chairman of the RFU at the time.
“This wasn’t some standard letter that he quickly signed and off it goes into the Twickenham post bag. It was a personal note, written in his own words, that was sincere and genuine.
“Bill explained the RFU were embarrassed by what had happened, stressed there was no place for that in rugby, they would take action and wanted to emphasise his full support for me.
“Bill is a rugby legend, captain of England and the Lions, a battlehardened forward who took no prisoners on the field of play, but who was very much Mr Nice Guy and utterly dignified off it. He is a real powerbroker of the game, a leader of men, these days chairman of World Rugby. So his views were ones I respected and was prepared to listen to.
“Bill emphasised how much I was respected in rugby, as a referee and, more importantly, as a person. He stressed I would always be welcome at Twickenham and encouraged me to carry on doing my job. His words, in his own handwriting, meant so much to me.
“I’ve got to be honest, Bill’s words and show of support brought a little tear to my eye as I read them, then re-read them again. His message that day stopped me walking away from rugby union.”