Nigel Owens tells Sky Sports that it's important to give back to rugby's grassroots level
Tuesday 1 March 2016 15:35, UK
Nigel Owens told Sky Sports it's important to give back to grassroots rugby, as the international game can't survive without it.
It was announced on Tuesday that Owens will take charge of the first qualifier for the 2019 World Cup, a match between Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines, taking place in Kingstown.
The match is a far cry from the last international the Welshman officiated, the World Cup final between the All Blacks and Wallabies in October last year, but there is no danger of complacency from Owens as he watches over the sides ranked 78th and 79th in the world.
"I've got to go out there and be professional and just do my job," Owens told Sky Sports.
"It doesn't matter what I've achieved by refereeing the World Cup final or anything else, at the end of the day the people out there will expect me to referee this game on Saturday the same as any final, and that's what I will do.
"I think it's important that whatever you achieve, not just in rugby but in any sport - or anything in life really - it's so important that you never forget where you've come from and how you started."
"I will go out there and do my best and I will prepare for the game the same way I would any other. The most important game is always the next game, and my next game is this Saturday.
"Whether it's a World Cup qualifier, an under 16s game, an amateur game or the World Cup final I still enjoy every moment of it. There's less pressure on you reffing games that aren't the World Cup final, but it's a different type of pressure. There's still the pressure to perform."
With New Zealand only crowned champions of the world a little over four months ago, the race has already begun to take part in the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and though qualification is a lengthy process, Owens is an advocate of giving all countries a chance to take part in the showpiece.
"It's great that teams and countries like this are given an opportunity to participate in the tournament in four years' time.
"Not just for the players who get to play for their country but for the kids and schools within the community who will be watching the game too."
His advocacy for an all-inclusive sport stems from his love of the amateur game, reminding us 'nobody starts at the top'.
"I think it's important that whatever you achieve, not just in rugby but in any sport - or anything in life really - it's so important that you never forget where you've come from and how you started," said the 68-test veteran.
"It's nice to get the opportunity to put something back into the grassroots, and this is my chance to do that.
"There are two important parts to rugby. You've got the top end which is the shop window, which gets people interested in playing the game, but that top end of international rugby can't survive without grassroots and the amateur community game. It's where we all start.
"It's the top end of the game that gets all the coverage and income, which all then filters back down to keep the grassroots going of course, but that's where we all start. We all start in our local communities and clubs."
The 44-year-old grew up watching his favourite sport in rugby-mad Wales, and has made sure to commit some time with the Kingstown community during his trip to promote the growth of the game.
"I've got a few things I'm doing while I'm out there for the match. I'm doing a couple of talks and I'm visiting schools and clubs to do some question-and-answer sessions.
"Hopefully that won't just encourage people to watch the game, but also for some of the kids to participate in the game, and maybe encourage one or two of the youngsters who feel they're not quite cut out for rugby, for whatever reason, to take up refereeing."
With visits to schools and the small matter of officiating Saturday's match, if Owens has any reservations about the latest international trip his whistle has bought for him, it's down to the lack of seaside activities in the itinerary.
"I should have planned this better, I should have gone out there two weeks before the game and I would have had a week on the beach to get some colour!
"It's not a very big island, so wherever I'm staying I'm sure it's only a couple of minutes from the beach so I'm sure I will have a few hours of relaxation.
"I'm just getting ready now to go out and do a training session before I leave for the Caribbean, which is going to be outside in the cold and wet, so it'll be good on Thursday or Friday to go out on the beach and do some training with the sun on my back!"
