January 2022 – Herts Rugby Football Union

Passing of Niels Hvass (Tring)

Niels Hvass, Tring Rugby Club Life President, died earlier this month, having been in ill health for some time.

Niels ran the Tring Colts (U19) side for a number of years in the ‘80s as well as turning out for the 5th and occasional 6th teams. Club Chairman, John Ball described Niels as: “One of the most jovial, funny and caring men you will have met. Who would drive us to all the away games, took us for training, taught us how to behave ….. and taught us to drink some foul Danish liquor”

Niels was elected President of the club in 1998 a position in which he served until 2011. He will be well remembered by the Hertfordshire rugby community as a very welcoming host to Tring. We send our sympathy to his wife, his family and all at Tring.

A younger Niels

Passing of John Stevens (Tring)

John Stevens, a Vice President of Tring, passed away in December after a short illness. He had a long standing association with Tring but also had strong rugby connections elsewhere.

John arrived at Tring in the early’70s from Brentwood and Upminster and soon became Club Captain and then Coach. Later in life he also enjoyed playing scrum half or full back for Tring 5^th XV. After a spell of coaching at Hemel Hempstead and then Dunstable, John moved to Higham Ferrers. On his return to Tring a few years ago, John assisted the Club committee on the finances as well as dispensing is advice and view on rugby to all.

Whilst coaching at Hemel Hempstead, John was a member of the Hertfordshire RFU Coaching Committee from 1980 to 1985 and for the last two years was chairman and as such a member of the Hertfordshire Executive Committee. Later whilst in Higham Ferrers he held some senior positions with East Midlands RFU.

Our sympathy goes to his family. He will be missed by all his friends in rugby