The club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nigel Harris after a long illness.
Nigel made an enormous contribution to rugby and the Isle of Wight RFC over several decades. He started playing for IWRFC in 1968 at the age of 18, while a student at Portsmouth University, graduating to the first team in 1972. He played primarily in the backs for many years with distinction, and represented the second team up to the mid-2000s.
Nigel notably once scored eight tries for the club in a single cup match in Portsmouth. When interviewed by a club historian some years ago, he recalled the Jersey tour of 1969, and playing three games in two days, for the club 1sts, 2nds and 3rds! He also recalled playing hooker at Fawley to avoid a game being cancelled due to lack of front-row players.
Off the field, Nigel served as club treasurer for 15 years, and subsequently became club chairman for the 1994-95 season. He went on from there to serve as club president for a remarkable 14 seasons, from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2011. Nigel also served as team secretary in the days when players received weekly postcards with details of their selection, and as club secretary for many years, being awarded Hampshire RFU’s Administrator of the Year in 2004. Nigel also refereed on numerous occasions when no one else was available, ensuring that several second team matches in the 2000s could go ahead – the photograph accompanying this tribute is prior to a second team friendly in 2009. For his extraordinary service to the club, Nigel was made an Honorary Life Member of IWRFC.
Nigel’s funeral will take place at the IW Crematorium at 12 midday on Monday 29 September, with a gathering afterwards at the Bargeman’s Rest, Newport. Our sincere sympathies go to Nigel’s family and friends.
