President John Owen
John Owen, former RFU Council member for Cumbria and Chairman of Community Rugby, took up the RFU Presidency at the July 2009 AGM.
John played for Cumbria to colts level, for Kendal first XV, captained Cumbria Police and English Police v Scotland and Ireland. He is an Intermediate Level coach and coached club and county youth teams for some 15 years. A Past President of Cumbria Rugby Union he is the current Chairman of their Management Committee and a former Chairman of the Cumbria Coaching Committee.
A senior detective officer with Cumbria Constabulary for 32 years and a qualified lecturer in criminal law, John has also been the long arm of the Laws, serving on the Cumbria Discipline Committee for a decade. Former Chairman of the North Division, he has served on many RFU working groups, including the 8.4b Working Group, which examined the roles of the RFU’s counties, Council and committees, and chaired the Schools, Students and Youth Review Group as well as the Rugby Landscape Task Group.
John’s proudest achievement at the RFU, however, was being elected Chairman of the Community Rugby Standing Committee. During his five years as Chairman he played an important part in the successful RFU Senior Management Roadshows which visit many CBs throughout the country. He became a prominent member of the RFU Management Board, representing Community Rugby. Following his tenure as Chairman of Community Rugby he was elected as Chairman of the Nominations Standing Committee for a second time.
A member of the Penrith RUFC Committee and coach of all their youth sections during very successful years in the ‘80s and ‘90s, he has been a tireless worker for rugby union and, with his wife Joan, a foster carer for the past 30 years. John is well known and respected in Cumbria and throughout the game.
Getting the best out of rugby
John was introduced to rugby union at the age of 11 at Penrith Grammar School and immediately loved the sport’s discipline and camaraderie. Being from a police background he says he is very aware that there is a great deal of under privilege in many rural and inner city areas and that introducing young people to rugby union enriches their lives.
“Giving opportunities to socially excluded groups brings a sense of responsibility and positive relationships. Having a chance to compete and succeed affects crime figures, makes communities safer and impacts positively on education and employment prospects. Rugby is an amazing game which can be used to great advantage,” says John.
“It is hugely encouraging to see our clubs working to become the focal point of their local communities, to watch the club/school links developing and becoming the essential stepping stones for kids to a lifetime of sport while sustaining our grassroots clubs. We are all working to the same end; bringing more and more people into our sport, so that they can embrace the values that we ourselves have gained from – those values now defined after much research and consultation by the RFU as – teamwork, discipline, respect, sportsmanship and enjoyment.”
John has been very much supported in his rugby work by Joan, their three children; Stephen, Beverley and Lindsay and by foster children Michelle and Paul as well as a total of ten grandchildren.