It may have come as a shock to Hywel but, being elected by his fellow District Representatives to the downsized WRU Board, is not only a great honour for the man himself, but for North and Mid Wales.

At the recent WRU Annual General Meeting, the clubs voted to streamline the WRU Board, a move that would only allow six of the fourteen District Representatives to serve on the new WRU Board. Those who didn't get the vote will serve on the Community Game Board.

A beaming Hywel stated: 'Yesterday was a great day for me but much more important a great day for North and Mid Wales Rugby. I say this because yesterday I secured a seat at the top table of Welsh Rugby by being elected to the new Board by my fellow Directors'.

'You will recall that at our unions’ AGM last October it was passed that the Board would be reduced to 12. Little did I know then sitting in the audience that I would be one of those twelve. There is something special in being elected by your peers and I will proudly take my place on the new Board alongside Six District Reps - Rob Butcher, Gordon Enyon, Chris Morgan, Phil Thomas, Dave Young and Hywel Roberts; Two National Reps. - Gareth Davies, Anthony Buchanan; Two Non Exec Directors - Aileen Philips, Tim Griffin; and WRU CEO - Martyn Phillips. The remaining position will be held by the Chair of the new Professional Board who is yet to be confirmed.'

Hywel continued: 'When I was elected to be the District J rep I thought it was vital that North and Mid Wales had strong representaion on any governance changes being proposed at the time. I was determined to work hard to ensure we were fully represented, the hard work has paid off and my objective has been achieved. It now remains for me to continue to work diligently and serve North and Mid Wales rugby to the best of my ability'.

I am sure that everybody involved in rugby in North and Mid Wales will pass on their congratulations to Hywel.

Roedd ddoe yn ddiwrnod da i fi'n bersonol ond roedd yn ddiwrnod gwell a phwysicach i Rygbi yng Ngogledd Cymru. Rwyf yn dweud hyn am na ddoe fe geis fy ethol gan fy ngyd gyfarwyddwyr i’r Bwrdd newydd o 12 fydd yn rheoli‘r gem yng Ngymru. Mae rhywbeth spesial mewn cael eich ethol gan eich cyd ‘weithwyr”. Mae’n bwysig/hanfodol fod ni yn y Gogledd gyda cynyrchiolaeth gryf yn Gaerdydd.

Yn cyfarfod blynyddol ein Hundeb mis Hydref fe baswyd fod y Bwrdd yn cael ei gwrtogi i 12 a rhaid cyfaddef fel un yn y gynylleidfa wneis i ddim meddwl yr adeg hynny y buaswn i yn un o’r deuddeg.!!

Roedd un o’n amcanion mawr pan geis fy newis fel cynyrchiolydd Gogledd Cymru y buaswn yn gweithio’n gydwybodol ag ymdrechu i gael sedd ar y Bwrdd newydd. Wedi cyflawni hyn rhaid nawr dal i weithio'n galed i gynyrchioli ein clybiau a Rygbi yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Hywel