Dennis Gethin: Ex-WRU president and secretary dies aged 79

Dennis Gethin addressed the 2019 WRU annual general meeting as his presidency came to an end, with then-chairman Gareth Davies amused by his speech

Former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) president and secretary Dennis Gethin has died at the age of 79.

Gethin was the union's secretary from 1998 to 2002, and was the 11th and last person to fill that role as it then changed to chief executive officer.

He was WRU president from 2007 to 2019 and became an OBE in 2016.

"Dennis was an incredible servant to the game in Wales and will be sorely missed," said current WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

"The sympathies of everyone in Welsh rugby are with his wife, Jan, family and friends at this difficult time."

Gethin succeeded the late former WRU chairman Glanmor Griffiths as president in 2007 after a lifetime of involvement in the sport.

Born in Seven Sisters and educated at Neath Grammar School, he rose from being a Welsh Secondary Schools International in 1963 before winning two rugby Blues at Cambridge, in 1965 and 1966.

Gethin played full-back for Seven Sisters, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Glamorgan Wanderers.

After his retirement from the game, he became secretary and later chairman of the Welsh Academicals and subsequently life vice-president of the club.

He also became president of the Wales deaf rugby team.

Away from rugby, Gethin was a qualified solicitor and during his career moved from private practice to local government.

"Dennis served for 12 years as president of the Welsh Rugby Union and was known not only for his hard work, dedication and statesmanlike gravitas, but also for his unique and infectious sense of humour," added Collier-Keywood.

"Dennis followed in the footsteps of some of the greatest rugby men in the history of our game and not only fulfilled the role astutely and with tremendous grace, but also took it on in leaps and bounds and made it his own.

"In 2016, he was awarded an OBE for his services to Welsh rugby, having also served as secretary for a five-year period from 1998. This was a most fitting tribute to a great man.

"He will be most remembered at the WRU for his unwavering advocacy for the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust charity and his dedication to the individuals it supports."

Gethin was chief executive of Taff Ely Borough Council from 1982 until his retirement in 1996 and also served as a member of the Audience Council for the BBC in Wales.

In 2019 he was succeeded by former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing Gerald Davies as WRU president.

Gethin was honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the 2015 National Eisteddfod for his contribution to Welsh cultural life.