PHOTO:
Ray's famliy at the Principality Stadium. Derek Griffiths, Judith Griffiths, Helen Morgan and Peter Morgan

 
Before the recent Wales v Scotland international, the Principality Stadium saw the unveiling of a photograph and plaque in memory of the late Ray Williams O.B.E., in recognition of his immense work as the first professional rugby coach, hon secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union, and organiser of the 1991 World Cup amongst a significant contribution to rugby across the world.
 
He coached in Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Fiji, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka and the USA and advised on rugby in Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania. He was named a Fellow of the National Association of Sports Coaches in 1989, elected to the UK Coaching Hall of Fame in 2002 and was awarded an honorary BSc by Loughborough University in 2009.
 

Top jobs galore

 
Ray Williams went on to hold many key jobs in his amazing career. He became the WRU Centenary Officer (1980), WRU Secretary (1980-88), WRU Board Member (1993-97), IRB Board Member (1993-1997), Chairman of the Lions committee (1997) and Tournament Director of the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He was made an OBE in 1995 for his services to rugby.
 
His daughters Judith Griffiths and Helen Morgan along with their husbands Derek Griffiths & ex-Welsh international and British Lion Peter Morgan were invited as guests of Dennis Gethin , President WRU, for the day.
 
The unveiling ceremony was private with a handful of guests invited by the WRU as Judith and Helen, with great pride, unveiled the photograph & plaque which is in the players’ area.
 
So Ray takes his deserved place back home in the stadium where he worked with pride and passion. The family then enjoyed a fabulous day and were made to feel very special. The day finished with them being presented to Princess Anne  and her husband Sir Tim Lawrence.