Steve Williams has been part of the Whitchurch High School community since 1960 where he studied as a pupil of the former Whitchurch Grammar School. After gaining his B.Ed and BSc for PE and Geography at Loughborough University he retuned to Whitchurch High School as a teacher and rose up through the ranks to Assistant Head Teacher. Although now retired from teaching, Steve continues his employment at Whitchurch High School as its Estates Director.
Playing History
During my playing career I was fortunate enough to have been coached by the following people, who had a substantial effect, not only on my playing career but on my mode of thinking and approach during my coaching career.
1967-68 |
John Robins |
Coach to British Lions |
1968-70 |
Jim Greenwood |
British Lions (author of Total Rugby) |
1970-71 |
Alan Black |
Adviser and Development Officer to RFU |
1971-74 |
Andre Herrero |
(26 caps for France) now President of the |
1974-78 |
Graham Hodgson/Ron Waldson |
Neath RFC |
1978-80 |
Ray Prosser |
Pontypool RFC |
Coaching History: Level 4
1970-92 |
Coached extensively at schoolboy level – numerous pupils under my instruction have represented Cardiff Schools. South Glamorgan Schools and Wales – the most outstanding being Nathan Humphries who eventually represented the World XV -–the most recent being Sean Legge. |
1971-74 |
Coach to Nice University and Nice RFC Junior Training School (which ran from 2.00 p.m. to 10 p.m. with age ranges from 6 – 21 years). |
1976-80 |
Coach of Cardiff Schools U12-U15. |
1980-83 |
Coach (player) to Cross keys RFC – during this period the Club moved from the bottom 3 to a regular place in the top half of the club championship. They also gained their only quarter final cup appearance and 3 players gained international squad recognition. |
1983 |
Chairman and coach to South Glamorgan Schools U19, who defeated the Japanese National XV. |
1984-91 |
Coach to Glamorgan Wanderers – during this period the club reached the quarter finals of the club and 6 seasons out of 8 were in the top 7 of the various championships, including 2nd in 1985/88. In 1987 Eagles were defeated by 24 points. In 1990/91 the club qualified for premiere division of the Heineken league. – gaining 5th place in the Merit table. Numerous 7’s titles were also won in this period, including the Snelling and C.H.S.O.B’s 7’s. Strong links were maintained with the lower teams, who achieved final appearances in the silver Ball and Harry Parfitt competitions. Many of these members eventually became 1st XV members. Players in Glamorgan Wanderers gained widespread recognition at this time. Several went on to represent Wales – Phil Thomas, Kevin Ellis, Owain Williams, Lyndon James, Chris Booker, Mark Hembry, Ian Hembro and Sean Legge. These players were not recognised in their early years as having outstanding ability however, good coaching, encouragement and hard work developed them into players of high calibre. |
1987 |
Coach to Welsh Academicals at Hong Kong 7’s. – lost in final of Plate competition to French Barbarians. |
1987-91 |
Coach to East Glamorgan U23 XV – twice county Champions. |
1988 |
Coach to East District U21 v All Blacks U21 XV, lost 25-21. |
1991-92 |
Coach to Glamorgan County U21 and Senior sides Welsh County U21 Champions. Coach to Welsh Counties. . Advisory capacity to Welsh U21 XV. Selection Advisor to National Squad Coach Ron Waldron. |
1992 |
Coach at W.R.. Master Class Welsh U21 squad. |
1992-95 |
Senior Coach Wales U21 XV; Played 19, Won 16 lost 3–10 consecutive victories |
1993 |
Coach to East Wales v Japan. Won 30-19 |
1995 |
Mentor for ELITE 2000 squad. Special responsibility for Mike Voyle, Ian Gough, Chris Stevens, Gareth Williams. Selection Advisor to Kevin Bowring. |
1995-98 |
Skills coach for National squad, responsibility for forwards. |
1996-97 |
Assistant coach to Cardiff RFC, Welsh Cup Winners, semi-final European Cup. |
1998-99 |
Coach to UWIC RFC with Geraint John -current Cardiff Coach. |
2000 |
Advisor to Graham Henry (Welsh Coach) on the occasion of the Welsh Trials 29th January. |
2000 |
Analysis of the European cup opposition for Cardiff RFC. |
2000-02 |
Working with Alan Carter, Analyst to Wales and the British Lions. My main responsibility was the analysing and reporting of opposition for Cardiff. Link with Rudi Joubert Senior Coach later David Young. Coaching schoolboy teams. Occasional Analyst works for Scott Johnson and Steve Hanson (twice). |
2003-05 |
Assistant Coach to Welsh University XV. Victories over Australia, England and Scotland. |
Coaching Awards
1979 |
WRU coach. |
1986 |
Senior WRU coach. |
1987 |
WRU Staff coach. |
I have directed and assisted at:
2011 |
British Rugby Writers Award for contribution to rugby. Member of Coaching teams involving: David Cobner, Ron Waldron, Paul Evans, Kevin Bowring and Graham Henry. |
Rugby Administration Experience
Initiated and drew up reconstruction of the Glamorgan Wanderers Rugby Committee, re-organising and co-ordinating all matters concerning their playing side. Responsibility for policies regarding the coaching department and overseeing and liaison of sub sections e.g. team selection, medical staff, players welfare, fitness adviser, match day co-ordination physiotherapy, game analysis and team discipline.
Founded the Ground Development Committee and as Chairman, initiated the building and organised the raising of revenue for the new terracing and ground drainage. Also, a policy was laid down for the future development of the ground up to the centenary season.
Requested by Glamorgan Wanderers RFC (December 1990) to report on the possibility of constructing a business/working model whereby the coaching/administrative/development sides of the club would be run by a professional to ensure the future development of the playing side of the club as a whole.
1990 |
Appointed by WRU as selector/advisor to Ron Waldron for the Heineken Premier Division, involving writing reports, analysing games and recommending players. |
1990-91 |
Initiated and published a Dragon rugby Scheme for feeder Junior Schools in conjunction with the WRU who financed the scheme. |
1991-92 |
Glamorgan County U21 – organised and presented a structure to seek out and promote players to the Welsh National XV. Coaching clinics were set up for the players and a committee format linking with the W.R.U. was inaugurated. |
1998 |
Developing individual positional roles Case Study – Mike Voyle. |
1998 |
Presented at the WRU Coaching Conference. |
1978-present |
Welsh Accies Committee Member. |
Papers Written:
Highlights