Latest news with #KenOwens
Western Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Western Telegraph
The Glen, Haverfordwest, celebrates remarkable achievement
The Glen in Haverfordwest has raised £1,234 for the Wales Air Ambulance Service. The venue has now raised a total of £5,000 for the charity, which relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. The Glen held a fundraising evening with Welsh international prop Rob Evans and British and Irish Lions hooker Ken Owens. Around 55 people attended the event, which included a charity auction for a grand slam rugby jersey. Landlord Tom Slater, who plays for Narberth RFC, said: "It was a really good evening and everyone enjoyed. "The players talked about their careers, and we held an auction. "I'd like to thank everyone for supporting our Wales Air Ambulance fundraising events. "I just do my best to help out and raise funds for the charity. "I live on a farm and we're very rural and you never know if you, or someone you know, will need the Wales Air Ambulance's help. "It's an essential service and I know people whose lives have been saved by the Wales Air Ambulance." The Glen also held an Easter hamper raffle which raised £200 for the charity. Mike May, west Wales regional fundraising manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: "We are always touched when people or businesses continue to raise funds for our charity. "The Glen has supported the Wales Air Ambulance for many years, this year they raised an incredible £1,234 which will help us to meet our yearly fundraising target of £11.2 million. "In total they've raised £5,000 which is amazing. "We really appreciate the effort those at The Glen put into making their fundraising a huge success. "I was delighted to meet Tom and hear about their support of our charity. "Thank you so much everyone. "Fundraisers, like these ones, will help us continue to be there for the people of Wales 24/7." The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity's vehicles. This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Wales rugby legend considering major career switch into politics
Wales rugby legend considering major career switch into politics The Wales icon is reportedly considering standing in the 2026 Senedd election Owens (centre) is reportedly considering a move into politics Former Wales captain Ken Owens is considering moving into politics and standing for Labour at next year's Senedd election, according to reports. The ex-Scarlets hooker announced his retirement from playing a year ago, having played 274 matches for the region and won 96 international caps for Wales and the British & Irish Lions. He captained Wales during the 2023 Six Nations before a debilitating back problem sidelined him for almost a year and ultimately forced him to hang up his boots. Since retiring, Owens has joined the board of Welsh netball team Cardiff Dragons as a non-executive director, while he has also become part of European governing body EPCR's disciplinary process and done media work for S4C. However, the 38-year-old is now considering an immediate move into politics, according to BBC Wales. Owens is reportedly weighing up whether to run in the Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency at the 2026 Senedd election. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the 16 new constituencies created for the election and is formed from the Llanelli and Caerfyrddin constituencies, covering the county of Carmarthenshire - where the former hooker hails from. Labour currently does not have a lead candidate in the constituency after Llanelli MS Lee Waters and Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson both announced that they would be standing down ahead of the election next year. Article continues below Owens has publicly supported Labour, appearing at a rally in Carmarthenshire alongside Keir Starmer and then-First Minister Vaughan Gething ahead of last year's General Election. He also appeared in videos to back Welsh MPs Alex Davies-Jones and Nia Griffith ahead of the election, while he attended a St David's Day reception at 10 Downing Street earlier this year, alongside Alun Wyn Jones. While he has become more involved in politics since retiring, Owens was also involved in the political side of Welsh rugby during his playing days. Owens attended a reception at 10 Downing Street earlier this year Having been made captain for the 2023 Six Nations, he played a "pivotal" role in the contract dispute between the Wales squad and the Welsh Rugby Union during the tournament, with a threatened player strike ahead of their clash with England ultimately averted. Then-interim WRU chief executive Nigel Walker later credited the former Scarlets man with playing a key role in the dispute. "I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if Ken were not the man he is, if he had not made the contribution he made, the threatened players strike against England may have happened," he said as part of an S4C documentary about Owens. "The Welsh rugby landscape would have looked completely different." Reflecting on the ordeal himself, Owens said: "This is the worst moment I have ever witnessed in the Welsh game since I have been a professional player. I thought I had seen everything but it's a shambles. Article continues below "The game goes ahead but as it was first thing this morning, the game was off. It was very close towards the end. I would have been happy not to take the field against England with the other players. That's how we feel." If Owens were to make the move into politics, he would not be the first former rugby star to do so, with ex-Wales Women international Tonia Antoniazzi now Labour MP for Gower.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Wales captain Ken Owens considering Labour run
Former Wales rugby captain Ken Owens is considering standing for Labour at next year's Senedd election, BBC Wales has been told. The 38-year-old is weighing up whether to run in the new Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency. Labour does not have a lead candidate there after the Llanelli Member of the Senedd (MS) Lee Waters and Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson announced their intention to stand down ahead of the election. Carmarthen-born Owens has been a public supporter of Labour, having appeared at a rally in Carmarthenshire with Keir Starmer and First Minister Eluned Morgan on the eve of last year's general election. Senedd election could be 'most difficult' for Labour Huge seat part of plans for more Senedd politicians Welsh-only names for all Senedd seats in 2026 The 38-year-old won 91 caps for Wales and played five tests for the British and Irish Lions. Aside from his on-field achievements Owens also became heavily involved in the political side of Welsh rugby, a subject never far from the headlines. He played what was described as a "pivotal" role in averting a players' strike when he was Wales captain in 2023 during a contract dispute between the squad and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). Without his actions and influence behind the scenes, it was reported that the Six Nations match against England could have been called off. At the time he admitted that Wales was the "laughing stock" of world rugby. Owens made his Wales debut in 2011 at the foot of Mount Taranaki in New Zealand during an 81-7 World Cup win over Namibia. Welsh Labour has a potential mountain to climb at the next Senedd election in May 2026. According to recent polling the party is under real pressure from Reform and Plaid Cymru, with the three neck and neck. Labour has been the biggest party at every Senedd election since the start of devolution in 1999, and there has always been a Labour first minister. But their position now faces a real challenge. Under the new voting system for the 2026 election, Wales has been split into 16 new constituencies, pairing the 32 used at the 2024 General Election. Sir Gaerfyrddin is formed from the Llanelli and Caerfyrddin constituencies, and covers the county of Carmarthenshire. Each constituency will return six MSs to an expanded 96-member Senedd. Parties will rank up to eight candidates each per constituency, with voters having one vote for the party of their choice. Labour would hope for one or possibly two of the six seats available in Sir Gaerfyrddin, meaning any candidate would need to be first or second on their list to have a realistic hope of becoming an MS. Along with team-mate Jonathan Davies, Owens was honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the National Eisteddfod in 2019 for enriching Welsh culture. Should he want any advice on the conversion from rugby to politics he need only look over the Loughor estuary. The Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, is also a former Wales rugby international.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ken Owens considers standing for Labour in Senedd elections
Former Wales rugby captain Ken Owens is considering standing for Labour at next year's Senedd election, BBC Wales has been 38-year-old is weighing up whether to run in the new Sir Gaerfyrddin does not have a lead candidate there after the Llanelli Member of the Senedd (MS) Lee Waters and Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson announced their intention to stand down ahead of the Owens has been a public supporter of Labour, having appeared at a rally in Carmarthenshire with Keir Starmer and First Minister Eluned Morgan on the eve of last year's general election. The 38-year-old won 91 caps for Wales and played five tests for the British and Irish from his on-field achievements Owens also became heavily involved in the political side of Welsh rugby, a subject never far from the played what was described as a "pivotal" role in averting a players' strike when he was Wales captain in 2023 during a contract dispute between the squad and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).Without his actions and influence behind the scenes, it was reported that the Six Nations match against England could have been called the time he admitted that Wales was the "laughing stock" of world made his Wales debut in 2011 at the foot of Mount Taranaki in New Zealand during an 81-7 World Cup win over Labour has a potential mountain to climb at the next Senedd election in May to recent polling the party is under real pressure from Reform and Plaid Cymru, with the three neck and has been the biggest party at every Senedd election since the start of devolution in 1999, and there has always been a Labour first their position now faces a real challenge. Under the new voting system for the 2026 election, Wales has been split into 16 new constituencies, pairing the 32 used at the 2024 General Gaerfyrddin is formed from the Llanelli and Caerfyrddin constituencies, and covers the county of constituency will return six MSs to an expanded 96-member will rank up to eight candidates each per constituency, with voters having one vote for the party of their would hope for one or possibly two of the six seats available in Sir Gaerfyrddin, meaning any candidate would need to be first or second on their list to have a realistic hope of becoming an with team-mate Jonathan Davies, Owens was honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the National Eisteddfod in 2019 for enriching Welsh he want any advice on the conversion from rugby to politics he need only look over the Loughor Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, is also a former Wales rugby international.
BBC News
09-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Struggling Wales aim to avoid unwanted history
What now constitutes rock bottom for Welsh rugby?It is a question that has been continually posed over the past year following defeat after losing sequence now stands at 16 international matches following the 35-29 defeat against Scotland in Murrayfield. It was a familiar tale of plenty of effort and endeavour from an inexperienced side but ultimately yet more total of defeats is regarded as unacceptable? When will words like spirited be replaced by successful?The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) committee were looking on from their Murrayfield VIP seats witnessing a now familiar tale that has been of their own governing body are looking for a director of rugby and head coach to try and lift this proud rugby nation out of the mire. Welsh rugby fans are just looking for some hope. The sad indictment is that defeats now are met with a shrug of the shoulders followed by comments like Wales were never expected to has to be reiterated this proud rugby nation has not won an international match since October are rewriting the record books along the way. Italy are the only other tier one nation that have lost as many consecutive Tests in the professional back further and Wales might break new ground for the top tier sides over the coming weeks and lost 18 in a row in a nine-year stint from 1911 to 1920, while Scotland suffered 17 successive defeats between 1951-55. Unfortunately, Wales have them in their have also never gained an outright Wooden Spoon in two successive seasons in the Five or Six Nations or lost all their games in successive defeat against England in the tournament finale in Cardiff next Saturday would create a bit more unwanted history. Forgotten how to win A few hours before kick-off at Murrayfield a host of former internationals could be spotted entering the Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, James Hook and Ian Gough strode in for their various media or corporate work. Players who knew what it was like to win at Murrayfield. Who knew how to win international matches and experienced Grand Slams, World Cup semi-finals and successful British and Irish Lions band James once wrote a lyric "if I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor". That can apply to long-suffering Welsh current squad does not have that expertise or experience of Test was hoped events in Edinburgh might change that. This struggling Welsh side were intent on backing up a heartening display against Ireland in Matt Sherratt's first game in interim charge following Warren Gatland's almost universal positive reaction to the Ireland performance was probably over-the-top. Welsh fans chose to ignore this because there has been so little hope to cling onto in the past 18 months. Some will again chose to focus on Wales' second-half revival in the Scottish it was normal service resumed as Wales suffered a 10th straight Six Nations defeat with Scotland celebrating a hat-trick of successive wins in this fixture for the first time since 1991. Harsh realities of international rugby It was a disastrous first half where the calamitous mistakes from Blair Murray and Ben Thomas that led to Scotland's fourth try typified the like Ellis Mee and WillGriff John, who had produced encouraging Six Nations debuts against Ireland, were ruthlessly exposed to the realities of international Mike Forshaw's Wales' defence, especially out wide, unravelled with 33 missed tackles during the game. Wales lost the aerial and kicking battles with Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn running riot and Finn Russell pulling the led 35-8 after an hour and a record defeat beckoned, before a revival in the final quarter was orchestrated by replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans who had come on for an ineffective Gareth managed to score three tries to pick up two losing bonus points and make the scoreline far more had relaxed as Wales capitalised. Even Sherratt admitted Wales' comeback occurred after the game was settled and Scotland had slipped by 5%.Co-captain Finn Russell was off the field in the final quarter after suffering from cramp and other key performers had been brought off the the visitors could have set up a frantic finale if a late Taulupe Faletau try had not been disallowed because of Murray hurdling a tackle in the build-up, the hosts were the dominant side. Any cause for optimism? Through the doom and gloom, the beacon of light has been captain Jac weekend was no exception as a British and Irish Lions call-up for the summer tour of Australia Wales flanker was once more a tower of strength in adversity, excelling at the breakdown and completing 25 tackles to maintain outstanding form. Morgan was assisted by industrious Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, who topped the tackle charts with 28, and also returning Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake - all three having captained Wales during the past and Lake are both 25, while Jenkins is 22, so this trio can be the spine Wales build a side around. Because of different injuries, it was the first time they had appeared together in the same side during Wales' 17-month losing the other end of the scale, 34-year-old number eight Taulupe Faletau hinted he was getting back to his best after long-term injuries with 163 metres made from 15 carries and 19 tackles. His class is permanent and Wales should utilise it while they can despite his advancing fly-half Evans demonstrated his attacking abilities by masterminding the second-half rally to enhance his chances of a starting spot against England. Expectation against England The romanticism of Wales ending a losing streak against England at home next weekend will always be with an Englishman at the helm in Gloucester-born Sherratt, who will be preparing for his final match in charge of his temporary stint before returning to might still be in Six Nations title contention when they arrive in Wales, so there will be no lack of Principality Stadium cauldron will always be red-hot for this fixture but it is worth remembering Wales have forgotten how to win in front of their own most recent home win was a World Cup warm-up victory against England in August 2023, while the latest Six Nations triumph in Cardiff was a narrow victory over Scotland more than three years ago.A victory against England next weekend to banish these stark statistics will provide some yet another loss to take the sequence to 17 successive Test defeats will feel like rock bottom once more.
