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The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union wish to formally congratulate long-time director and recently retired chairman of the Council of Delegates Owen Paul after he was elected as a life member at the 2020 AGM on Sunday, May 31.

A long-standing Counties Manukau rugby supporter, Paul is a regular fixture at Steelers games and when he’s not at Navigation Homes Stadium, you’ll often find him up on the hill in Bombay supporting his local team.

It was the Bombay Rugby Football Union that nominated Paul for life membership – a move that was also supported by cross-Union rivals Karaka.

“Long before his services for Counties Rugby, Owen was and continues to be an exceptionally valued member of the BRFC, playing in the senior team for many seasons,” the nomination read.

“After his playing days, Owen stood on the BRFC committee from the early 1990s. His many years of dedicated work, both in front and behind the scenes, benefitted the BRFC immensely throughout many seasons.

“Owen was recognised for his services and inducted as a life member to the BRFC in the early 2000s.

“He served as Bombay delegate from 2000-2013, eventually spending 20 years on the Council of Delegates, rising to deputy chair and eventually serving for seven years as chair, and eight years on the Union’s board.”

The nomination also highlighted Paul’s selfless dedication to rugby in the region.

“In his position on the Council, Owen was continually involved - helping at rep games, liaison and work on several sub-committees.

“Owen spent many countless hours as a volunteer in the Union, much of this time unseen to the general rugby public. His involvement has been immensely beneficial to Counties Rugby and his time will be sorely missed.

“Whether it was in his time serving for Counties or in the earlier days cutting a lonely figure at the Southern end of the main stand watching and analysing every Counties home game, many an hour could be had with Owen discussing all matter rugby.

“Whether it be games, players, clubs, interpretations or disagreements with rugby’s various laws and regulations. The conversations were always the same measured and thoughtful, never negative or derogatory and always with the greater good of Counties Rugby in mind.

“Senior or Junior, Club or Union, Owen always held genuine concern for the state of the game and the problems faced by clubs day to day and moving into the future. Selfless, helpful, humble, quiet and unassuming but a true rugby man.”