Appeal to all North Wales clubs and Mid Wales clubs playing in the North Wales leagues.
Last season some of you will have encountered an American, one Herb Howell, on the touchline. Herb has been visiting Wales since the early 70’s, and is currently researching a book aimed at telling the story of North Wales rugby. This is his story:
Welsh Rugby ( in the early 1970’s ) was a faraway dream, to only imagine and be a bit mysterious, from far away California and New Mexico ( USA). Then suddenly, something emerged that changed his life forever. A Welsh immigrant entered his life when Herb moved to San Diego, California. Robert Watkins, “from the Valleys” told him that an opportunity had come to the USA Rugby Union President to nominate an American player to be developed as a rugby coach, via an early Welsh Rugby Union Coaches Course. That was in 1976 and the newly appointed leader and rugby pioneer was Ray Williams, OBE, from Wrexham, in North Wales, to lead the way.
Months later, Herb arrived at Barry, Wales, and was immediately challenged by some locals, as whom did he think he was to attend a Welsh Coaching Course, as an American? Immediately Herb realized that he could never have been adequately prepared for such a weeklong task- a Level Two Course. Ray Williams welcomed him and some other foreign students. The table was set. The Welsh staff introduced itself, and Herb was partnered with Geoff Young, former Wales and Lions hooker, who become an immediate friend, along with Cardiff RFC coach John Evans. One could not turn the pages fast enough to keep up the pace.
Years and many return trips later, Herb played and coached on rugby tours in Wales, attended multiple Internationals, and continued to visit his new friends in Welsh Rugby. Herb advanced rapidly in the USA Rugby Coaching scheme, soon was appointed to the National Coaching Committee, and then was to become the National Collegiate Rugby Chairman. He was able to maintain his friendships with Geoff Young, John Evans and Ray Williams, who opened many doors along the way, to add to his growing perspectives on Welsh Rugby.
Herb then linked up with New Zealander Bill Freeman, to conduct rugby coaching courses across the United States. He became the Western Territorial Collegiate all-stars coach (eleven states represented). Previously, Herb had coached at San Diego State, New Mexico Tech, Pittsburgh RFC, the Portland (OR) Jesters, Western Oregon University, the University of New Mexico, and currently at Pacific University of Oregon.
Now, Herb seeks the help, advice, and the rich local stories of the local clubs, throughout North Wales.
Please contact howellh@wou.edu if you have stories to tell or archives to share and contribute. Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story, it has been said.
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