Magners League Official Website : Snow to quit at the end of the season

Snow to quit at the end of the season

16 March 2005, 1:37 pm

By Graham Jenkins

The Dragons' Rod Snow has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the 2004/05 season.

Rod has been at Rodney Parade for ten seasons playing for Newport RFC and the regional side Newport Gwent Dragons. He has played over 55 times for Canada. It is anticipated Rod and his family will return to Canada in the summer.

“This has not been an easy decision to reach,” commented Rod, “but after talking to my friends and family have decided that it is the right time to retire. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Rodney Parade and it has been an honour and privilege to play for both Newport and Newport Gwent Dragons. There have been many highlights to my career including winning the Principality Cup and I have played under some world-class coaches and alongside some of the world’s best rugby players. I would like to thank the coaches I have worked with, the players I have played with and of course the outstanding fans who have made me and my family so welcome and personally given me tremendous support over the years.”

Chief Executive Andy Marinos said, “I cannot speak highly enough of Rod. He is a tremendous player to play alongside and a player you would always want in your side. He is the epitome of professionalism both in training and on and off the field. He will be sorely missed by the players, coaching staff and supporters. He has made an outstanding contribution to Welsh and world rugby and has been a fantastic role model for the game of rugby union. I wish Rod, his wife Elizabeth and son Dakota all the best for the future as they begin another chapter in their lives.”

Rod has a degree in sports science and is hoping to pursue a career in strength and conditioning work when he retires, “I am hoping that I will have the opportunity to draw on my university degree and do some strength and conditioning work and coaching. I have had a fantastic year and testimonial season and feel now is the time to retire when I am still near the top of my game. I do not want to play at a standard that’s below what I expect from myself and I can leave knowing that I am finishing at the top.”

There will be a testimonial game for Rod on Friday May 20th kick off 7.15pm. Already confirmed to play are Rodney Parade favourites Gary Teichmann, Gareth Rees and Shane Howarth.