Gatland Made an OBE in Queen’s Birthday List

Wales rugby union coach Warren Gatland, who last year guided the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory in Australia and Wales to the Six Nations title, has been made an OBE in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honours list.

“I was surprised really. It’s a massive honour and I’m absolutely over the moon to be asked to receive that,” the New Zealander said from South Africa.

“It’s great and I’m very proud and sort of humbled.”

The Lions’ victory in Australia was the team’s first Test series win since 1997.

In December 2013, Hamilton-born Gatland was named UK coach of the year at the 2013 UK Coaching Awards.

Original article by AFP, Bangkok Post, June 14, 2014.