Nigel Owens – Keynote Speaker

Nigel Owens MBE is recognised as one of the world’s best rugby referees and is the first openly gay man to come out in professional rugby. Born and bred on a council estate in Mynyddcerrig West Wales, and a fluent welsh speaker, he first picked up the referee whistle aged 16. Owens officiated his first international game in 2005 between Ireland and Japan in Osaka and he made his World Cup debut in 2007 in France.

Owens is the current record holder for test matches refereed and he is the only referee ever to be appointed to referee three consecutive Heineken Cup finals (2015, 2016 & 2017) as well as refereeing another there finals in 2008, 2009 & 2012 making it a record six European cup finals as well as two challenge cup finals. In 2015, Nigel was appointed referee for the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham. He has also refereed a record six Pro14 finals.

Aside from refereeing, Owens is a co-presenter on S4C’s Jonathan – the rugby-themed Welsh language show hosted by Jonathan Davies. He also presents other Welsh language chat shows on S4C. He also won huge plaudits for his Desert Island Discs programme on Radio 4 hosted by Kirsty Young. In 2017 he presented the Panorama programme on Eating Disorders in Men and Boys.

Owen’s autobiography was released in in Nov 2008, in Welsh called “Hanner Amser” (Half Time). With the English version released in 2009 which is still selling well today. Nigel was named ‘Gay Sports Personality of the Year’ by gay rights group Stonewall at its annual 2007 awards ceremony in London and then the Gay Sports Personality of the Decade in 2016. In 2011, Nigel was made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards at its National Eisteddfod in Wrexham for his services to the Welsh language. Awarded an MBE for services to sport in June 2016, Nigel continues to referee international rugby matches around world.

Nigel Owens has also just been selected to referee at his fourth consecutive Rugby World Cup in Japan this year 2019. Moreover, for his work on and off the pitch in rugby and in equality, inclusiveness and mental health he was received may awards including “ An Honorary Doctorate at both Swansea 2016 and South Wales University 2018”. A Honorary Fellowship at both Cardiff Met University 2016 and Cardiff University 2016.