Carrying on with our series on Black History Month and here recognising both a player and coach who specifically influenced the game in the county I caught up with Wayne Stewart
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO RUGBY?
WS – Well I was actually born in Leeds and went to Leeds Grammar School. It was there when my first PE teacher, Mick Lamb (who was the former Yorkshire, Headingly RUFC and Leeds Rhino RFL player) introduced me to it as an eleven year old. I was only there for the first year before moving to Stockport and Stockport Grammar School where I continued to play rugby and cricket. My PE teachers remained my inspiration and this continued my keen interest in the sport.
HOW DID YOU PROGRESS?
WS – It was an interesting time as when I moved to Stockport GS I was the only player of colour within the school I vividly remember that when I sat down for lunch the other pupils would literally pick up their plates and leave the table. I found that Sport was one way in which I could get positive attention and association. I progressed and played for Cheshire at U15 and U18 (the only age groups that they had in those days). and I also represented Lancashire at cricket from the age of 13. I played my club rugby initially at Stockport (formerly Davenport) RUFC and then played for Heatonmore RUFC (both Lancashire teams) and was selected while at school to play for them in the Lancashire Cup semi final, which has over 80 clubs across the county.
WAS RUGBY YOUR MAIN SPORT?
WS – Well actually I played both rugby and cricket seriously but got more traction in cricket initially. I was picked up by Lancashire and played for Stockport in the (Lancashire Central semi professional league). I used to open the bowling with Paul Allott as well as several black cricketers who also played and inspired me including West Indian test cricketer Reg Scarlett. As a youngster being able to play against players such as Joel Garner and Collis King provided a great sense of drive which helped with both my sports and future career. Like many more today, if you recognise it, you see it, you can be it.
HOW WAS UNIVERSITY LIFE?
I went to Loughborough University (studying P.E. and English) and played freshers rugby in the first year but could not progress for whatever reason into any of the senior squads in the rest of my time there so rugby took a backward step. However, in the 4 years that I was there Jim Greenwood (Scotland & British Lions and Loughborough Coach) took a keen interest in my progress and development. Not just in rugby but in me getting coaching qualifications and he was willing to spend time talking to me about the principles, theories and his take on coaching and player development. His approach to how the game should be played was so innovative. He was almost a precursor to the more open style we have now. He encouraged teams to be offensive from all sorts of positions. I reverted to playing cricket for the University as an opening bowler and then travelled back every weekend to play for Stockport in the Central Lancashire League (CLL).
On reflection he was very inspirational and made a difference in me wanting to continue playing.
Author “Think Rugby” and coached Clive Woodward at Loughborough
So once I had finished university and qualified as a teacher I moved to Bridport (Dorset) where I ended playing the sporting trilogy; Bridport RUFC, Bridport CC and Bridport FC. After a few years there I left for a job in Barbados where I taught at Foundation School (famous for Joel Garner and more recently Jofra Archer). I played both rugby and cricket in the inter island Caribbean leagues.
HOW DID YOU END UP IN BERKSHIRE?
WS – After returning from Barbados I obtained a teaching job at Cox Green School before moving onto Desborough School where I eventually became the assistant head before retiring in 2012. When I first moved here, I rented a house in Crowthorne and Bracknell RUFC was the nearest club so I joined them in 1984. When I moved to Reading I simply continued to play for Bracknell (despite approaches from other clubs). I also was a member of the Reading West Indians RUFC team and really enjoyed my Sunday rugby with a no care style which was so refreshing.
HOW LONG BEFORE YOU PLAYED FIRST TEAM RUGBY?
WS – Interesting as I did not know anyone at the club so simply trained and was put into the 4th team for the first game. I stayed in the team for four weeks until I was approached by a committee member after a game who happened to have wandered over while the 1st team game was on. After the match he asked if I was a member and then enquired why I had not been training with the first team. It transpired that the 4th team captain had not told anyone as the team were on a winning streak! By the next training session I was training with the 1st team made my debut and had played in the county team by the next season. I enjoyed my time at Bracknell and played there for over 20 years finishing in the vets.
WHAT WERE YOUR MEMORABLE MOMENTS?
WS – I remember when in Barbados, we played against many of the military ships but also several cruise ships personnel when they in port. We played against the QE2 and as the after match meal we were invited to go onboard. We were treated like absolute VIPS and my mother who was in Barbados came as well which made it very memorable.
BERKSHIRE
WS – I also remember playing for Berkshire alongside Andy Lester (Abbey centre) and we played Eastern Counties. They had a black guy playing at outside centre and as we moved up to defend a break I shouted “i have him no problem”…. the player simply stepped me and ran the length of the pitch. I later learnt it was Martin Offiah!
HARLEQUINS
WS – I managed to play for Harlequins (coached by Dick Best) on an Easter tour when several of the first team players were unavailable alongside TIm Bell, Peter Clovey and Wayne Foncette. We played against Swansea (including the formidable Moriaty brothers) on the Saturday and then Llanelli on the Easter Monday. We arrived at Stradey Park and I was selected on the wing only to find out that Ieuan Evens (Welsh captain & British Lion) was my opposite number and needed one more try to beat the all time Welsh record for tries in a season. Rest assured I bordered on offside for almost every Llanelli attack so that I could get up quick and was made up (despite us losing) that he did not break the record during that game.
READING WEST INDIANS
WS – I remember playing against Joe Bell for Bracknell vs Redingensians and he told me about the Windies and asked if I wanted a game. I played the very next Sunday and was hooked. I never thought I’d would play in a majority black side at rugby and it was an unbelievable feeling being on a rugby pitch and not being the only black face. And not being stereotyped that we could only play on the wing. It was a massive eye opener for opposition players as well. My favourite game was when we the warm up game for the Anzac match between N.Z and Australia at Esher. In front of a crowd of over a thousand we beat London Maoris 46-38. Both sides were applauded off the pitch.
Berks Sunday Cup – WINNERS
WHAT ABOUT LIFE AFTER RUGBY?
WS – As I said I taught at Desborough School for many years and although I coached the 1st team I also coached the Berkshire county U18’s for 10 years as well as SW divisional rugby. I also qualified as an RFU Level 3 Rugby coach.
What gave me the greatest satisfaction were the players who I was hopefully able to inspire enough to continue to play rugby at whatever level after they left school. Over the years there would be almost 100 players who went on to represent Maidenhead RFC and other teams including players such as; Carson Russell (London Scottish), Jez Flynn (Rams & Berkshire), Jamie Townsend (Richmond & Chinnor), James Comben (former Henley player), Paul Roberts (Esher & England U21’s), Graham Sparks (Maidenhead, Reading, Berkshire), Mark Mueller (Maidenhead) as well as Michael Hudson (Premiership Referee).
