Famous sporting people in Pembrokeshire – No 22

 

Warren Gatland CBE  – a gentleman and a joy to interview!

 
I had mixed emotions when Warren Gatland became Welsh coach for the first time but within two months I had the chance to meet him for the first of two occasions - and not only sat opposite him at a dinner but found him readily agreeable to be interviewed for the Friday Night Sports Show which Ben Stone and I loved doing on Radio Pembrokeshire.
 
The occasion was a fund-raising dinner for the Pembrokeshire Youth Rugby Group at the  Allt Yr Afon Hotel in Wolfscastle and I was due to act as host, which was a real pleasure and doubly so since I found where I was sitting - at a table with three lucky couples and Mr G! Thanks boys from the Pembs’ Youth!
 

Readily agreeable to be interviewed – and happy to give me two five-minute interviews

 
He was totally charming to the three ladies and very agreeable to the fellers so I waited for the right moment and after telling him who I was, asked if he would give me an interview
 
“Of course,” he answered, “would you like to do it now?”
 
After I had spluttered my thanks,  we went out to the spacious foyer and I thought I’d push my luck and asked would he mind two five-minute slots, one about life in New Zealand and one about his early thoughts on Welsh Rugby.
 
“Why not?” Came the immediate response and I was saying ‘Wow. The new Welsh coach - what a scoop!’
 

Disaster struck but all’s well that ends well!

 
I pulled out my old-fashioned tape recorder (no phone to use then) and was so thrilled it is hard to describe it - until I looked down to see how long we had been doing the interview and found I was so excited I had forgotten to turn it on!
 
I had to explain to Warren what had happened and he chuckled as he told me, “It happens - and we’ve still got time for two chats!”
 
I had to resist the temptation to hug him, which was perhaps just as well - and I still have those interviews and just listened to them before writing this article.
 
He was also brilliant in answering all the audience questions thrown at him to ensure a cracking evening which I’ll never forget, but occasionally wonder what he must have thought of me!
 

Most unusual open-air interview – on the back of an open-sided lorry!

 
The second time I met him was in totally different circumstances because it took place on the back of an open-sided lorry at the work-yard of GD Harries in Narberth, where then-manageress Janet Harries organised an amazing fund-raising day to raise cash to help a very young cancer sufferer, I think from the Whitland area.
 
There were so many activities and displays that were there because of Janet’s encouragement and the open-air lorry was furnished with hay bales for the band to play and sing from - setting up a terrific atmosphere.
 
I met up with him at the site offices and took him across to the ‘Stage’ after he had again willingly agreed to let me have an interview there and then — and again something I still have as a memento.
 
Spectators also sat on hay bales to listen to him and fortunately the weather was kind. and luckily it was good weather as Warren and I went on stage after bending under the scaffolding poles at the back and negotiating some largish bales and I remember asking him if he had ever had to do something like this before speaking.
 
“I don’t think so,” he said with typical understatement but after I had introduced him and crawled off the front of the temporary stage to ask for questions, which I read out to him, he was totally composed and spoke with that quiet assurance that marked him as a speaker.
 
The afternoon was a huge success and raised a lot of cash for our young friend, who managed to spend some time at the venue - but he looked ill and one could only admire his bravery. Sadly, he passed away a short while later but I hope he enjoyed himself there as much he and his lovely family could manage.
 

Created some history as Welsh coach

 
In his first stint as Wales’ head coach, he led the team to four Six Nations titles (including three ‘Grand Slams’) - and directed the British & Irish Lions on three tours in his 12-year stint, winning in Australia, losing in South Africa and drawing with New Zealand.
 
He also came back for a second, three-year spell, which I felt was a mistake, but he rightly earned his place in the pantheon of coaches as he had previously taken  charge of Ireland, London Wasps and Waikato and The Chiefs back home in New Zealand.
 
He has since become a sought-after speaker at dinners and I bet he costs a packet but does a great job - although here in Pembrokeshire I believe we had Mr Gatland for free on both those occasions.
 
And I will never forget how lucky I was to interview him both times and was so impressed by his ability to make me feel I wasn’t talking star-struck gibberish, and, who knows, he might even have enjoyed both occasions!