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The Welsh Rugby Union in Neath
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WER
WALTER E REES 1862 - 1949
Capt Walter E Rees ran the Welsh Rugby Union from his front room in a Neath Town Centre house for over 50 years, He has been the longest serving secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. Prior to this he was secretary of Neath Rugby Club. In 1910 he was the assistant manager of the British team's tour of South Africa. His strength of character was legendary and together with Sir John Llewellyn (WRU President 1885-1906) also of Neath, he guided Wales through their first golden era in the early years of the 20th century. The much respected journalist JBG Thomas said of Walter "Never in the history of rugby football has one man wielded as much power as this benevolent 'dictator', who served rugby faithfully in his native land and maintained a dignity and a control that was the envy of many. He was Welsh rugby and not even Daniel Craven, the most powerful of modern administrators can match the influence possessed by Walter at the height of his power, in the days between the Wars." During his year as Mayor of Neath, Walter travelled with other members of the committee to Gloucester to view the tactics of the 1905 All Blacks. It was this committee who suggested the change in Welsh tactics which lead to the only defeat of the New Zealand 'Originals'.
Secretary Neath RFC 1888 - 1894 Treasurer Neath RFC 1894 - 1896 Secretary Welsh Rugby Union 1896 - 1948 Mayor of Neath 1905 Assistant manager British Lions 1910
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Yet another great administrator from Neath was Eric Evans, primarily responsible for founding the Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union, he took over from Walter Rees as secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1948. A post which he held until shortly before his death in 1955. |
TICKETS PRINTED IN NEATH Our earliest Welsh ticket is dated 1903, printed by the Neath Printing Co, situated just behind the market in Neath, a short walk from Walter Rees' home. presumably this cut down on the cost of delivery and should any problems occur Walter was only a stone's throw away. The Neath Printing Co held the contract to print Welsh tickets even up until the late 1980s. Nearly 40 years on, Walter Rees' influence is still in evidence in Welsh rugby. |
A printer's block and ticket from the late 1980's (WRM-0336)
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