William Eric Evans (27 February 1894 – 21 June 1955) was a
Welsh rugby player and the secretary of the
Welsh Rugby Union from 1948–1955.
[Owen (1956), Obituary p. 77]
Born in
Neath in 1894, Evans left Wales to study at
St Catharine's College, Cambridge.
He returned to Neath during his vacations where he played for the
Neath Rugby Club.
[Smith (1980), pg243.] The outbreak of the First World War prevented Evans completing his university education and he was posted at
Gallipoli. After the end of hostilities he returned to Cambridge and graduated in 1922. He returned to Wales and became English master and rugby coach of
Cardiff High School
Cardiff High School ( cy, Ysgol Uwchradd Caerdydd) is a comprehensive school in the Cyncoed area of Cardiff, Wales. Stephen Jones has been Headteacher since 2011. It has been rated as Excellent for current performance and Excellent for prospect ...
.
In 1923 he was one of the founding members of the Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union (WSSRU),
[Smith (1980), pg240.] to which the turn in fortune in
Welsh rugby in the 1930s is attributed. He was a director of the
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park ( cy, Parc yr Arfau Caerdydd), also known as The Arms Park, is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. It is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green. The Arms Park was host to the British ...
Company and was a freeman of
Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest (, ; cy, Hwlffordd ) is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire with a population of 14,596 in 2011. It is also a community, being the second most populous community in the county, ...
.
In 1948 Evans would replace fellow Neath stalwart,
Walter E. Rees, as secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union, after acting as honorary assistant secretary for the previous two years. Evans was a popular choice
[Smith (1980), pg311.] having been a member of the union for the last twenty one years and proving through his connections with the WSSRU his commitment to the advancement of the Welsh game. In his first season as secretary he brought clear administration and a sense of professionalism. During his first Christmas in charge he returned nearly a hundred gifts from various donors who were hoping for some consideration in the distribution of international tickets.
[Smith (1980), pg312.]
In 1955 Evans died while still in office; during his time as secretary he saw Wales win two
Triple Crowns and the formation of the Welsh Youth Union in 1949.
Bibliography
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Eric
1894 births
1955 deaths
British Army personnel of World War I
Wales Rugby Union officials
Rugby union players from Neath
Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Neath RFC players