Warriors show support for Owen Williams

Warriors players have shown their support to Cardiff Blues' Owen Williams, who suffered serious damage to his cervical vertebrae during this summer's World Club 10s in Singapore.

Warriors players tweeted a picture from the training ground with the hashtag #StayStrongForOws as the rugby community continues to unite.

The club is also selling wristbands in the Sixways Store for £1.50, with all money going to support Owen via the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.

With Owen having link to Warriors, his family has written the below message to thank people for their support.

Thank you from the Williams family

Owen Williams is a 22-year-old rugby player, born into a rugby family and brought up in the Welsh Valleys. His granddad Robbie, father Huw, brother Gavin and uncle Ray, all played for Aberdare RFC, the same club that produced Dai Young, the current Head Coach of London Wasps.

Granddad Robbie was a leading member of the Welsh Rugby Union, and in the 1990s was in charge of the Wales Under 21 team that produced legends such as Scott Quinnell, Rob Howley, Neil Jenkins and Scott Gibbs.

Owen's uncle Ray moved from the valleys in 1980 and joined West Mercia Police, where he captained the force rugby team for several seasons while also playing for Malvern Rugby Club. While out injured for two seasons Ray was part of the coaching team at Worcester RFC.

However, he recovered from injury and continued to play for Malvern until the start of the millennium, at which point he hung up his boots and took on a coaching role at Malvern RFC.  Ray is now an 'armchair' spectator at Worcester Warriors.  Ray's two sons Matthew and Rhys both played for Worcester RFC.

Owen Williams demonstrated his flare and skill for the game from a very young age.  He followed in the footsteps of his family and played for his local club Aberdare RFC.  Owen was capped for Wales at Under 11, Under 16, and Under 20 levels.

There are also many links between Cardiff Blues and Worcester Warriors.  Players such as Ryan Powell and more recently Andries Pretorius have moved to Worcester.  Phil Davies, Owen's coach during his Wales Under 20 days, went in the opposite direction a couple of years ago.

In November last year, Owen gained his third and fourth senior caps for Wales against Tonga and Australia. Owen suffered a hamstring injury during the Australia game and what followed was six months of treatment.  He responded well and the Cardiff Blues medical team passed him fully fit to play in the World Club 10s in Singapore in June.

Owen was on top form throughout the tournament.  What followed next is every player and family's nightmare.  In the final minutes of the last game Owen suffered the most serious of injuries.  He suffered a heavy tackle which has caused serious damage to his cervical vertebrae, fractured his spine and has resulted in significant spinal cord damage. 

For a 22-year-old this is both mentally challenging as well as physically challenging and Owen is currently battling a range of emotions.

Owen underwent surgery in Singapore and was flown back to Cardiff where he is now in rehabilitation at Rookwood Spinal Unit. We would like you join us in wishing Owen all the best for his future, to stay strong and positive and to know that we are all behind him.

If you would like to contribute to his Trust Fund, you can purchase a 'StaystrongforOws' wristband from the Sixways Store, while stocks last.

Warriors back-row Andries Pretorius, who is a former teammate of Williams, said:

"Uncle Ray is absolutely right. As a player we all knew that Owen came from a family where rugby is a massive passion. He really is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and a great laugh to be around. 

"His athletic ability was truly jaw dropping at times. Explosive power that excites you to be a teammate knowing he's only 22 and only going to get better.

"And to see this happen is terribly sad. But we also know Owen is massively competitive and a true fighter so if there are any improvements to be had he's the type of guy who will work harder than most to get them.

"All us players ask you to get behind him and support him and his family in any way you can. Thank you.”