Rugby

One of rugby's best honoured by Queen

December 29, 2018 4:07 pm

Bill Beaumont with Prince Williams during the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand. [Source: stuff.co.nz]

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont was awarded a knighthood for services to rugby in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Beaumont expressed his gratitude and says that he is “honored and humbled” after being awarded.

Rugbypass.com reports the honour is in recognition of a champion of rugby, who has dedicated his life to the betterment of the sport on and off the field in both a domestic and global context.

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He also oversaw historic international eligibility reform that preserves the sanctity of international rugby and long-term international calendar harmony.

This gives greater opportunity for emerging nations, while providing financial certainty for all unions.

Beaumont was central to World Rugby’s decision-making bodies for more than a decade.

He served as Vice-Chairman from 2007 to 2012, and was a key figure on the World Rugby Council, Executive Committee, Rugby World Cup Board and Rugby Committee bodies.