Safeguarding the heart of sport: The Ian Williams Memorial Match

Ian Williams, Blue #1188

OURFC is proud to continue the strong links between Oxford and Richmond with this Saturday’s fixture, the fifth Ian Williams Memorial Match, commemorating the life of a Dark Blue stalwart, beloved by all, Blue #1188 Ian Williams. On Saturday 24^th October Richmond FC will bring a Vikings side to Iffley Road, in a return fixture for last year’s event, played at the Richmond Athletic Ground, to celebrate and remember the life of Ian, who was a fierce competitor for both clubs.

Ian earned three winning blues in 2013, 2014, and 2015, as part of a Dark Blue dynasty, where the Men’s Blues won six Varsity Matches in a row, including what remains OURFC’s biggest victory margin, winning 43-6 in 2014. He read for a Master’s in Literature and arts, after studying History at Swansea, where he also played in the Welsh Varsity. Ian was a skilled tighthead prop, and went on to pursue his dream of playing professional rugby, debuting in the Championship for Rotherham Titans, playing also for Richmond, and for Doncaster, with the hope of progressing to play for Newcastle Falcons. It was in February 2018, just before a morning training session at Doncaster, where Ian suffered a cardiac arrest, collapsing as he jogged over toward the training paddock. His teammates responded quickly, administering CPR and calling an ambulance, but, tragically, Ian died that day in hospital.

Ian, centre right, celebrating with his team after the 2014 Varsity Match

Last year, before the memorial match, we sat down with Helen Williams, Ian’s sister, to remember the life of her brother, who is thought of so fondly by those who knew him: you can read the full article here. Helen recalls her brother as ‘a history nerd’ who ‘never quite matched the jock status’, respected by all. In memory of Ian, Helen and the Williams family established the Ian Williams Foundation, a versatile charity fundraising to achieve their aim of safeguarding the heart of sport - ‘the life, health and attitude of ‘the athlete’’. The charity, established in does not restrict itself to one method of practice, rather choosing to focus in its first years on the ability to SEE in rugby:

Screen:

‘To make cardiac screening available at all levels in rugby.’

Encourage:

‘Shedding light on and destigmatizing mental health issues in sport by supporting open conversations amongst athletes to improve their mental health and wellbeing.’

Enable:

‘opening doors for those with the potential to play, regardless of their background’.

Since the charity’s establishment, they have lobbied to make cardiac screening compulsory for performance rugby, and in the 2020/21 season screenings were mandated for championship teams, alongside the existing requirements for the Premiership. Ian suffered from a dissection of the ascending aorta, that the family had been aware of since Ian was 14. The foundation was established with the strong belief that professional rugby players, at the very minimum, should have access to heart screening. Richmond, via the support of the Richmond Heavies Foundation, have put 60 players from across the club's teams through free screenings so far this season, with a consultant on site to talk with those who may require further examination. Two members of the office staff have participated in cardiac screenings this season, Will Roddy at Richmond, and Scott Hall at Chinnor. Both remarked that the process was exceedingly simple, taking less than ten minutes, and that the security and knowledge provided by such a straightforward process was very much worth it. According to the Resuscitation Council UK, approximately 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are due to an underlying cardiac cause: being aware of these potential issues as early as possible can even save lives.

Richmond and OURFC are two very fitting teams through which to remember Ian. Helen recalled that herself and Ian ‘grew up’ at the RAG, watching their father play there. Similarly, she describes Ian’s years wearing the Dark Blue as ‘some of the happiest times I’ve seen him’. The links between the two clubs also remain strong. Blue #1128 Ian Kench, Men’s Blues head coach, was previously head coach at Richmond in the Championship, and Blues #1278 Sam Reynolds, #404 Alex Wilkinson, #423 Estelle Onwuka, #433 Lucy McBride, #1312 Will Roddy and #1315 Fergus Dick are just a few of the more recent players to make the step to Richmond from their university rugby at Oxford.

The Blues’ first game was a competitive outing last week against Leicester Tigers, where they came up short in a pulsating contest. Highlights of that game, to give you a flavour of what to expect from the men in Dark Blue, can be viewed on our YouTube. The Blues are looking forward to being put to the test by a strong Richmond side - you can purchase your ticket for the fixture here - £1 of every ticket will be donated to the Ian Williams Foundation, to contribute toward their SEE initiative. Under 18s are free, and student tickets are £1 with a valid student ID; enter the code STUDENTS1 at checkout. If you wish to find out more about the matchday experience at OURFC, please follow this link.

Parking is available for £10 on the gate, but does not need to be pre-booked for this fixture. For more information about accessing Iffley Road, please see our "Getting Here" page.