Trevor Woolley
| Tributes paid to former RFU Council Member Trevor Woolley - RFU press release. | |
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| RFU President John Owen has paid tribute to Trevor Woolley, a former long-serving member of the RFU Council and stalwart worker for colts rugby in the Midlands for many years, who died suddenly last weekend.. Trevor represented North Midlands on the RFU Council from 1973 to 1996 and was one of the pioneering administrators who helped to establish colts rugby in North Midlands and to help organise England Colts internationals. "He gave so much to so many, served selflessly and, in particular, fostered a love of the sport in the young, keeping them playing beyond school and helping the very best to compete at international level," said John Owen. "It is men like Trevor that we have to thank for the well-being and vibrant nature of rugby union in England. "His legacy is a great one and we must make sure we continue to build on his hard work and dedication. "He epitomized all that is best in rugby and he will be remembered by all who knew him with tremendous fondness and gratitude." Trevor Woolley, who was educated at King Edward VI School, Five Ways in Birmingham and evacuated to Monmouth during World War Two, played as a front row forward fir Birmingham from 1947 to 1955, captaining the United XV for two seasons. But it was as an administrator that he really excelled giving Birmingham, Greater Birmingham and North Midlands outstanding service over 60 years. He served Birmingham as chairman of selectors, chairman of rugby, president and trustee and was on the sub-committee that planned the club's relocation to Portway in 1967. Trevor joined the committee of the Greater Birmingham RFU and served the Domestic Union in a number of capacities including chairman of selectors and president. Having joined the North Midlands RFU committee as a representative for Greater Birmingham, Trevor went on to give almost a quarter-of-a-century's service to the RFU. He later served as North Midlands president. "Generations of rugby men will mourn the passing of Trevor who was for many the Mr Rugby of Greater Birmingham and North Midlands RFU," said Peter Grace who succeeded Trevor on the RFU Council. "He worked tirelessly for the game throughout his adult life and his work with Colts at local and international level is a particular legacy to the game he loved. He sacrificed so much including his successful business for his work on the RFU where to an extent he was an unsung hero. "His work with youngsters extended to his own area of Birmingham where the people he helped will remember him with great gratitude. "Trevor was my mentor and anything I may have achieved in rugby administration is thanks to him. He encouraged and supported me at Greater Birmingham , North Midlands and Midlands levels and it was a massive honour for me to succeed him as North Midlands RFU Council member in 1996. " Trevor, a bachelor, worked in the family jewelry business in Birmingham's Jewelry Quarter. |
