Pontypridd RFC
Encyclopedia
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union
team from Pontypridd
, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup
, Principality Premiership
, and are the current SWALEC Cup
champions.
Established in 1876, Pontypridd RFC play their home games on the banks of the River Rhondda
, at Sardis Road
, Pontypridd
, Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, with their age-grade section playing at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd, and Pontypridd High School Fields in nearby Cilfynydd
.
Pontypridd RFC experienced a successful period during the mid-nineties under head coach, Dennis John
, referred to as the club's "Golden Age", and saw a resurgence during the 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons with the appointment of head coach, Lynn Howells
. The transition to Regional Rugby in Wales
in 2003 saw the downgrading of Pontypridd to a semi-professional team, followed by the eventual financial collapse of the Club, and subsequent demise of Pontypridd's "Celtic Warriors
" region.
Pontypridd RFC have since refinanced and restructured, and, despite a mooted stadium sale, continue to be regarded as a beacon for rugby in the south Wales Valleys
.
Pontypridd RFC have produced numerous players of international calibre
, and have long thrived on the 'unfashionable club' tag.
of the late 19th century. They were represented at a meeting in Tenby
in 1880 that would later lead to the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union
in 1881 and had a player, Edward Treharne
, named in the very first Welsh International side also in 1881, who also played for Cowbridge Grammar School
as a student. Pontypridd supplied two more players to the Welsh team before the turn of the century, Tom Williams
and Ernie George
.
In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in Treforest, the current home of their junior section, before moving to the People's Park alongside the River Rhondda
. However in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysyngharad Park in Pontypridd itself, where they would stay for 65 years.
, Swansea
, Neath
, Cardiff
and Newport, known collectively as the Big Five. Players with Pontypridd often found it hard to break into the international team while at the club, meaning a number would leave for higher profile teams each season. Despite this the club were consistently successful, achieving a long line of top ten finishes in the unofficial Welsh league, a competition they won for the first time in the 1962/1963 season.
However the 1970s would bring Pontypridd its first period of real success. Following the redevelopment of the A470 trunk road
near their home ground, the team moved to its current home of Sardis Road in Pontypridd in 1974. This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975/76, 1977/78 and 1978/79 whilst never falling from the top four for seven years under the captaincy of two of Pontypridd's greatest ever players – Bob Penberthy
and Tommy David
.
in 1994/95 was a promising return for the club.
In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating Neath RFC
in the final of the Welsh Cup, a match still considered one of the best ever. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, led by Nigel Bezani
and including players such as Richie Collins, Neil Jenkins
, Paul John
and Dale McIntosh
.
During the 2001/02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign, winning the Principality Cup
and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks
in the final of the Parker Pen Shield
competition.
From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the Heineken Cup
– Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon their much admired youth academy system. However in 2003 the Welsh Rugby Union
would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of Welsh Regional Rugby.
After much negotiation and rumour of a merger with local rivals Cardiff RFC
, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with Bridgend RFC
, forming the Celtic Warriors
that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.
However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC
benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was controversially dissolved by the WRU
in the summer of 2004.
They were then reformed as Ponty Rugby Ltd playing at a semi professional level in the newly formed Welsh Premiership and unpopularly placed under the umbrella of local rivals Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire south Wales Valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the Valleys' regional representative side, with Cardiff still perceived by the residents of the Valleys as rivals.
In 2005 Pontypridd were beaten finalists in the WRU Challenge Cup
, narrowly losing to Llanelli 24–25, having been leading 24–8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer was brought into the game and helped turn them game around in Llanelli's favour.
The following year they would surpass their previous season's record as Saturday 6 May 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26–25 to win the WRU Challenge Cup (then called the Konica Minolta Cup, and currently called the SWALEC Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a well fought final at the Millennium Stadium
. Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the classic 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped Neath RFC
'doing the double'.
17 May 2008 saw Pontypridd enter a repeat performance against Neath at the Millennium Stadium. The score, however, was not to be repeated, as Neath beat Pontypridd by 28 points to 22.
Despite remaining successful at the highest level attainable by a non-regional side, Pontypridd RFC has seen a huge loss in their fan base due to the disenfranchisement of Welsh rugby supporters in the Valleys over to the appointment of Cardiff Blues as their 'regional' team. Yet despite this, Pontypridd's hardcore support base remains one of the biggest club followings in Wales, with chants of "I will never be a blue" ringing out at matches alongside the more traditional "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole! Ponty! Ponty!"
Pontypridd RFC continue to earn plaudits for the incredible contribution they have made to International Rugby. Former Pontypridd players seen wearing the red of Wales in recent years include Gethin Jenkins
, Kevin Morgan, Richard Parks
, Michael Owen
, Martyn Williams
, Dafydd James
, Mefin Davies
, Brent Cockbain
, Robert Sidoli
, Sonny Parker, Ceri Sweeney
, Jonathan Bryant
, Ian Evans, Matthew Rees
and Morgan Stoddart
.
The 2009/10 season is the most high-profile since the inception of the semi-pro Premiership in 2003, with the commencement of the British and Irish Cup
, a 24-team Cup competition comprising teams from Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland, and playing over five weekends during the Autumn international
and Six Nations
windows (with semi-finals and finals on 24 April and 15 May respectively).
in 1756 and known locally as the "Old Bridge
".
The chevrons are an interpretation of the ancient arms of Iestyn ap Gwrgant
, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Morgannwg. The de Clare
family – Norman Lords of the Welsh Marches
, under whose authority the ancient shire of Glamorgan
was placed – used a similar design to Gwrgant's arms. Both sets of chevrons were once seen on the coat of arms of Mid Glamorgan County Council
, in which the town of Pontypridd was situated prior to the Local Government Act of 1994
.
An identical chevron design is now seen in the coat of arms of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
, which superseded Mid Glamorgan.
The black and white colours are the team colours
of Pontypridd RFC.
. The company began life as Just Rentals in Tonypandy
in 1976, and sponsored Pontypridd RFC from the early nineties until 2004. It employed numerous former players, including Neil Jenkins
and Lee Beach
and ran the Buy As You View Schools Rugby Initiative, working in partnership with Pontypridd RFC.
Pontypridd's main sponsor from 2004 to 2009 was Pontypridd-based environmental and waste management company, Egan Waste Services.
In 2009, Pontypridd-based company Amber Electrical become the club's main sponsors in a highly publicised partnership deal.
2010 saw Egan Waste Services step up their support of Pontypridd be becoming the Club's main sponsors once more.
Club kit has been supplied by numerous firms, including Umbro
, Hogger Sports, Cica, Rossco, Canterbury of New Zealand
and Kukri Sports. Since 2005, Club kit has been supplied by Italian Sportswear manufacturers, Errea
.
WRU Merit Table Champions – 1975/1976
WRU Merit Table Runners Up – 1977/1978, 1978/1979
Welsh Premier Division
Champions – 1996/1997
Welsh Premier Division Runners Up – 1994/1995, 2010/11
Welsh Cup
Champions – 1995/1996, 2001/2002, 2005/2006, 2010/11
Welsh Cup Runners Up – 1978/1979, 1994/1995, 1996/1997, 2004/2005, 2007/2008
Champions Challenge Cup Champions – 1997
European Rugby Shield
Runners Up – 2001/2002
's 1993/94 Heineken League successes – was instrumental in ensuring Pontypridd's place in the top tier during the latter part of the eighties.
In 1992, Dennis John
took over as head coach, assisted by former Pontypridd flanker, Lynn Howells
, and led Pontypridd into what is widely regarded as their "Golden Age", with Ponty winning the Welsh Cup Final in the 1995/96 season, and winning the Welsh Premier League in the 1996/97 season.
With the departure of John in 1999, former Pontypridd and Wales flanker, Richie Collins became head coach, and while some significant scalps – notably a win over Heineken Cup
winners Leicester in 2000 – came his way, his tenure in charge was short-lived.
In September 2001, Clive Jones rejoined Pontypridd as Director of Rugby, and had, by December 2001, brought Lynn Howells back from Cardiff
, who then proceeded to marshal the club to become Principality Cup
winners in May 2002 and guided the team to the final of the Parker Pen European Shield
days later.
The advent of Regional Rugby in 2003 saw Howells depart to become coach of parent-region, the Celtic Warriors
, with former Pontypridd flanker, Justin Burnell filling the void.
Burnell's departure in 2004 was followed by the appointment of former Pontypridd flanker, Simon King who, along with assistant coach, former Pontypridd and Wales
captain and scrum-half Paul John
, guided Pontypridd to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup
in 2004/05, before winning it in 2005/06.
Paul John took over as head coach in at the commencement of the 2006/07 season, and, assisted by former Pontypridd and Wales back row, Dale McIntosh
, led the club to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup
in 2007/08.
During May 2010, it was decided that Paul John and Dale McIntosh would switch roles, as the demands on John in his capacity as Head Coach of the Wales Sevens team were becoming too great. Dale McIntosh therefore leads Pontypridd into the 2010/11 season as Head Coach, while Paul John assumes the mantle of Assistant Coach.
The Team Manager is former Pontypridd outside-half, Richard Langmead
, and the Conditioning Coach is Darren Bool.
(Coach) Lynn Howells
(Coach & Assistant Coach) Richie Collins (Coach) Justin Burnell
(Coach) Simon King (Coach) Steele Lewis (Assistant Coach) Mike Griffiths
(Scrummaging Coach) Nigel Bezani
(Team Manager) Eddie Jones (Team Manager) Gary Jones (Team Manager)
In: Dan Godfrey (Cardiff RFC
) Darren Harris (Merthyr RFC
) Gareth Williams (Newport Gwent Dragons
) Harley Thomson (Llanharan RFC
) Jack Dando (Cardiff Blues
) James Howe (Merthyr RFC
) Jordan Sieniawski (Llantwit Fardre RFC
) Lewis Reece
(South Wales Scorpions
) Lewis K. Williams (Glamorgan Wanderers
) Pat Palmer
(Newport Gwent Dragons
)
Out: Brendan Lyons
(Retired) Darren Waters
(Newport Gwent Dragons
) Edward Siggery
(London Irish
) Jon Williams (TBC) Kristian Baller
(Cross Keys RFC
) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues
) Lewis Smout (Cardiff RFC
) Matthew Screech (Cardiff RFC
) Phil Osborne (Retired) WillGriff John (Cardiff RFC
)
NB:
While not strictly 'released' by Pontypridd, prop Ryan Harford and scrum half Lewis Jones have both been seconded to the Cardiff Blues
for an unconfirmed period during the 2011–2012 season.
Calum Thomas Gareth Wyatt
Gavin Dacey
Lewis Williams
Matthew Nuthall
Owen Williams
).
Starting in the bottom division of the Blues league, the side made notable progress that saw them punch well above their weight and earn the nickname the 'Upstarts', when after hugely successful first season that saw them promoted seven divisions to the BB League (Blues Second Division).
The following season saw the formation of a second Youth team who again had to start in the bottom league and were coached by former Pontypridd players Dai Legge and Mike Kelleher. By the end of the 2007/8 season both youth teams had won their perspective leagues outright and earned automatic promotion, with the senior youth now playing in the top division in only their third season since forming. Several youth players have gained notable honours, including representative honours with Welsh Crawshays and Welsh Schoolboys, with players in the Cardiff Blues Academy and several older players now training with Pontypridd RFC's senior team.
Behind this successful youth setup is the Pontypridd Mini & Junior Section that was formed in 1997, the section started out with just a handful of junior players and volunteer coaches, but has grown into one of the biggest and most successful junior sections in Wales. The section contains every age group from under 7's to under 16's, with the youth sides containing players under the age of 19; with almost 300 young players in their ever-swelling ranks. The section is hugely successful, winning dozens of tournaments and trophies each season, and competing successfully in international tournaments throughout Europe where they have won every foreign tournament they have entered.
At the commencement of the 2008/09 season, it was decided that both Senior and Junior Youth teams would merge, forming a large and capable new Pontypridd Youth section. The new season will see a single squad of thirty-five players being selected, playing in the 2008–09 RAF Youth League: Blues Region. The squad is coached by Wayne Gristock and Sean Oliver, and managed by Chris Kingsbury MBE.
Prior to the commencement of the 2010/11 season, notification was given of a major change in the running of the Youth section, as it was decided that the section would transfer from the hands of the Mini & Junior Rugby section, and would instead fall under the remit of the senior Team Management. The hope is to discover new stars of the future, who will regularly train alongside the main body of the senior XV, echoing the past achievements of the Pontypridd Youth setup in bringing Michael Owen, Gethin Jenkins and Ceri Sweeney, amongst others, to the attention of the World.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team from Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup
British and Irish Cup
The British and Irish Cup is a semi-professional northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It took place for the first time in the 2009/10 season...
, Principality Premiership
Welsh Premier Division
The Welsh Premier Division is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union for the 1990–91 season.-Competition history:...
, and are the current SWALEC Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
champions.
Established in 1876, Pontypridd RFC play their home games on the banks of the River Rhondda
River Rhondda
The River Rhondda is a river in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales which has two major tributaries; the Rhondda Fawr and the Rhondda Fach .- Description :...
, at Sardis Road
Sardis Road
Sardis Road is a rugby union stadium situated in Pontypridd, Wales. It is home to the Principality Premiership team, Pontypridd RFC and previously the Celtic Warriors, the now defunct regional rugby union team...
, Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, with their age-grade section playing at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd, and Pontypridd High School Fields in nearby Cilfynydd
Cilfynydd
Cilfynydd is a village in South Wales a mile from the South Wales Valleys town of Pontypridd, and 13 miles north of the capital city Cardiff.- History :...
.
Pontypridd RFC experienced a successful period during the mid-nineties under head coach, Dennis John
Dennis John
Dennis John is a former rugby union coach and player, most notably with Pontypridd RFC. John was appointed caretaker coach to the Wales national rugby union team for 2 matches in 1998 following the departure of Kevin Bowring.-External links:**...
, referred to as the club's "Golden Age", and saw a resurgence during the 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons with the appointment of head coach, Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells is a former rugby union player – most notably with Pontypridd RFC – but better known as a rugby union coach.Howells was born in the Rhondda Valleys.-Coaching career:...
. The transition to Regional Rugby in Wales
Welsh rugby union system
The top level of competition in the Welsh rugby union system is the Magners League which is a league of professional teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. Wales currently has four entries in the Magners League: Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons.-Magners...
in 2003 saw the downgrading of Pontypridd to a semi-professional team, followed by the eventual financial collapse of the Club, and subsequent demise of Pontypridd's "Celtic Warriors
Celtic Warriors
The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, who played in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup between 2003 and 2004.-History:The Warriors were one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era...
" region.
Pontypridd RFC have since refinanced and restructured, and, despite a mooted stadium sale, continue to be regarded as a beacon for rugby in the south Wales Valleys
South Wales Valleys
The South Wales Valleys are a number of industrialised valleys in South Wales, stretching from eastern Carmarthenshire in the west to western Monmouthshire in the east and from the Heads of the Valleys in the north to the lower-lying, pastoral country of the Vale of Glamorgan and the coastal plain...
.
Pontypridd RFC have produced numerous players of international calibre
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, and have long thrived on the 'unfashionable club' tag.
Early history
Pontypridd RFC are generally accepted to have been formed in 1876 by a number of young local men who had moved into the area during the Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
of the late 19th century. They were represented at a meeting in Tenby
Tenby
Tenby is a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, lying on Carmarthen Bay.Notable features of Tenby include of sandy beaches; the 13th century medieval town walls, including the Five Arches barbican gatehouse ; 15th century St...
in 1880 that would later lead to the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
in 1881 and had a player, Edward Treharne
Edward Treharne
Edward Llewellyn Treharne was a Welsh rugby union forward who played club rugby for Pontypridd and Cardiff, and international rugby for Wales. He is most notable for being a member of the first Wales international team that played England in 1881...
, named in the very first Welsh International side also in 1881, who also played for Cowbridge Grammar School
Cowbridge Grammar School
Cowbridge Grammar School was one of the best-known schools in Wales until its closure in 1974. It was replaced by a comprehensive school.Founded in the 17th century by Sir John Stradling and refounded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, it had close links with Jesus College, Oxford. The school took both...
as a student. Pontypridd supplied two more players to the Welsh team before the turn of the century, Tom Williams
Tom Williams (Welsh rugby player)
Thomas Williams was a Welsh rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff and Pontypridd and international rugby for Wales. A solicitor by profession, Williams would later become a national selector for the Welsh Rugby Union...
and Ernie George
Ernie George
Ernest "Ernie" Edward George was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for a variety of teams, but is most associated with Pontypridd and Cardiff...
.
In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in Treforest, the current home of their junior section, before moving to the People's Park alongside the River Rhondda
River Rhondda
The River Rhondda is a river in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales which has two major tributaries; the Rhondda Fawr and the Rhondda Fach .- Description :...
. However in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysyngharad Park in Pontypridd itself, where they would stay for 65 years.
1945 – 1989
Pontypridd have long been regarded as one of the more unfashionable Welsh clubs, and during this period were over-shadowed by the more prominent Welsh clubs, LlanelliLlanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
, Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
, Neath
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
, Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
and Newport, known collectively as the Big Five. Players with Pontypridd often found it hard to break into the international team while at the club, meaning a number would leave for higher profile teams each season. Despite this the club were consistently successful, achieving a long line of top ten finishes in the unofficial Welsh league, a competition they won for the first time in the 1962/1963 season.
However the 1970s would bring Pontypridd its first period of real success. Following the redevelopment of the A470 trunk road
A470 road
The A470 is a major long-distance connective spine road in Wales, running from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It covers approximately 186 miles , over a zig-zagging route through the entirety of the country's mountainous central region, including the Brecon Beacons and...
near their home ground, the team moved to its current home of Sardis Road in Pontypridd in 1974. This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975/76, 1977/78 and 1978/79 whilst never falling from the top four for seven years under the captaincy of two of Pontypridd's greatest ever players – Bob Penberthy
Bob Penberthy
Bob Penberthy is a former rugby union player who set the record for appearances for Pontypridd RFC between 1961 and 1985.-References:...
and Tommy David
Tom David
Thomas Patrick "Tommy" David is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. He was selected for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and at the time played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. He also played for his home-town club Pontypridd RFC and while at the club was part...
.
1990 – 2002
The 1990s saw a huge change in Welsh rugby, especially with the inauguration of the first official Welsh leagues in 1990. Pontypridd were placed in the top (first) division for that season and have never yet been out of the top-level in the Welsh game. They consistently finished in the top five, which was considered an achievement due to the stature and pedigree of the clubs they finished among. Third places in 1991/92, 1993/94 and 1995/96 plus a runner up finish to Cardiff RFCCardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
in 1994/95 was a promising return for the club.
In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating Neath RFC
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
in the final of the Welsh Cup, a match still considered one of the best ever. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, led by Nigel Bezani
Nigel Bezani
Nigel Bezani, known as Baz was a rugby union player who played prop for Pontypridd RFC in the Welsh Premier League.Baz joined Pontypridd from Tylorstown RFC in the 1988/89 season, and captained Pontypridd to the SWALEC Cup win of 1996....
and including players such as Richie Collins, Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins MBE is a former rugby union football player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the third highest on the List of leading Rugby...
, Paul John
Paul John
Paul John is a former Wales international rugby union player with 10 caps. A scrum-half, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, where he was captain....
and Dale McIntosh
Dale McIntosh
Dale "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born Dale Lynsey Manawa McIntosh on 23 November 1969 in the King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales...
.
During the 2001/02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign, winning the Principality Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
in the final of the Parker Pen Shield
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
competition.
From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
– Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon their much admired youth academy system. However in 2003 the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of Welsh Regional Rugby.
2003 – present
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with Bridgend RFC
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division...
, forming the Celtic Warriors
Celtic Warriors
The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, who played in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup between 2003 and 2004.-History:The Warriors were one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era...
that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.
However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division...
benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was controversially dissolved by the WRU
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
in the summer of 2004.
They were then reformed as Ponty Rugby Ltd playing at a semi professional level in the newly formed Welsh Premiership and unpopularly placed under the umbrella of local rivals Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire south Wales Valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the Valleys' regional representative side, with Cardiff still perceived by the residents of the Valleys as rivals.
In 2005 Pontypridd were beaten finalists in the WRU Challenge Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
, narrowly losing to Llanelli 24–25, having been leading 24–8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer was brought into the game and helped turn them game around in Llanelli's favour.
The following year they would surpass their previous season's record as Saturday 6 May 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26–25 to win the WRU Challenge Cup (then called the Konica Minolta Cup, and currently called the SWALEC Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a well fought final at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
. Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the classic 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped Neath RFC
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
'doing the double'.
17 May 2008 saw Pontypridd enter a repeat performance against Neath at the Millennium Stadium. The score, however, was not to be repeated, as Neath beat Pontypridd by 28 points to 22.
Despite remaining successful at the highest level attainable by a non-regional side, Pontypridd RFC has seen a huge loss in their fan base due to the disenfranchisement of Welsh rugby supporters in the Valleys over to the appointment of Cardiff Blues as their 'regional' team. Yet despite this, Pontypridd's hardcore support base remains one of the biggest club followings in Wales, with chants of "I will never be a blue" ringing out at matches alongside the more traditional "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole! Ponty! Ponty!"
Pontypridd RFC continue to earn plaudits for the incredible contribution they have made to International Rugby. Former Pontypridd players seen wearing the red of Wales in recent years include Gethin Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins is a Wales and British Lions international rugby union player, currently playing for Cardiff Blues. He is the most capped prop-forward for Wales.-Early career:...
, Kevin Morgan, Richard Parks
Richard Parks
Richard David Parks is a former Wales international rugby union player, representing Newport RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Leeds Tykes, Perpignan and Newport Gwent Dragons at club and regional level. In May 2009 he was forced to retire from rugby due to a shoulder injury...
, Michael Owen
Michael Owen (rugby player)
Michael Owen , was educated at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive school in Beddau and was a Welsh rugby union player. He played for Saracens at club level and Wales internationally, having previously represented Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League. Owen, who is , most often played Number 8, but...
, Martyn Williams
Martyn Williams
Martyn Elwyn Williams is a Welsh international rugby union player. A flanker, he plays for Cardiff Blues and the Wales national rugby union team as an open-side flanker...
, Dafydd James
Dafydd James
Dafydd Rhys James is a former Welsh international rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at centre. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. He has earned 45 caps for Wales and three for the British & Irish Lions...
, Mefin Davies
Mefin Davies
David Mefin Davies is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for the Ospreys and the Wales national rugby union team.Davies was born in Nantgaredig. He made his international debut on 8 June 2002 at Cape Town, South Africa...
, Brent Cockbain
Brent Cockbain
Brent John Cockbain is a rugby union player who played lock for Sale Sharks in the English Guinness Premiership, and has won 20 caps for Wales.-Club career:...
, Robert Sidoli
Robert Sidoli
Robert Sidoli is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons.He has won 42 caps for Wales as a lock forward...
, Sonny Parker, Ceri Sweeney
Ceri Sweeney
Ceri Sweeney is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Cardiff Blues and Wales.-Club career:In 1998, Sweeney joined Pontypridd RFC from Glyncoch RFC....
, Jonathan Bryant
Jonathan Bryant
Jonathan 'Jon' Bryant is a former Wales Rugby union international. His previous clubs include Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Newport Gwent Dragons and Sale Sharks...
, Ian Evans, Matthew Rees
Matthew Rees
Matthew Rees is a Wales and British Lions international rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Scarlets in the Celtic League. His usual position is at hooker...
and Morgan Stoddart
Morgan Stoddart
Morgan Lloyd Stoddart is a Welsh international rugby union player. His usual position is at fullback.He currently plays for Welsh regional side the Scarlets and plays international rugby for Wales.- Treorchy RFC :...
.
The 2009/10 season is the most high-profile since the inception of the semi-pro Premiership in 2003, with the commencement of the British and Irish Cup
British and Irish Cup
The British and Irish Cup is a semi-professional northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It took place for the first time in the 2009/10 season...
, a 24-team Cup competition comprising teams from Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland, and playing over five weekends during the Autumn international
End of year rugby tests
The End of year rugby tests, known as Autumn internationals in the Northern Hemisphere or Guinness Autumn Series in the Republic of Ireland, are a series of rugby union matches contested approximately each November...
and Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
windows (with semi-finals and finals on 24 April and 15 May respectively).
Club shield
The club shield denotes the town of Pontypridd's famous arched bridge – once the largest single-span bridge in Europe – built by William EdwardsWilliam Edwards (architect)
William Edwards was a Welsh Methodist minister who also practised as a stonemason, architect and bridge engineer....
in 1756 and known locally as the "Old Bridge
Old Bridge, Pontypridd
The Old Bridge , which is now also known as the William Edwards Bridge or Pontypridd Bridge, was originally known as the New Bridge or Newbridge, it is an arched single-span footbridge that spans the River Taff at Pontypridd in Wales. The bridge was built by William Edwards and was completed in 1756...
".
The chevrons are an interpretation of the ancient arms of Iestyn ap Gwrgant
Iestyn ap Gwrgant
Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the last ruler of the Welsh kingdom of Morgannwg, which encompassed the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire .- Lineage :...
, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Morgannwg. The de Clare
De Clare
The de Clare family of Norman lords were associated with the Welsh Marches, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent and Ireland. They were descended from Richard fitz Gilbert, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England during the Norman conquest of England.-Origins:The Clare family descends from Gilbert...
family – Norman Lords of the Welsh Marches
Welsh Marches
The Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods...
, under whose authority the ancient shire of Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
was placed – used a similar design to Gwrgant's arms. Both sets of chevrons were once seen on the coat of arms of Mid Glamorgan County Council
Mid Glamorgan
Mid Glamorgan is a preserved county of Wales. From 1974 until 1996, it was also an administrative county, with a county council.Mid Glamorgan was formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972...
, in which the town of Pontypridd was situated prior to the Local Government Act of 1994
Local Government (Wales) Act 1994
The Local Government Act 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which created the current local government structure in Wales of 22 unitary authority areas, referred to as principal areas in the Act, and abolished the previous two-tier structure of counties and districts...
.
An identical chevron design is now seen in the coat of arms of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the governing body for Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council headquarters are located in the town of Tonypandy.- Current composition :- Historic results :...
, which superseded Mid Glamorgan.
The black and white colours are the team colours
Rugby union equipment
A traditional rugby union kit consists of a collared jersey , shorts, jockstrap / compression shorts, long rugby socks and boots with studs....
of Pontypridd RFC.
Sponsorship
Pontypridd's most notable main sponsor was local company, Buy as you ViewBuy As You View
OverviewBuy As You View is a retail and consumer finance company, selling a range of electrical goods and home furniture on a rent-to-own basis. It provides a coin meter repayment and credit facility for products bought on a hire purchase, weekly payment basis with no deposit or credit checks...
. The company began life as Just Rentals in Tonypandy
Tonypandy
Tonypandy is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying in the Rhondda Fawr Valley. A former industrial coal mining town, today Tonypandy is best known as the site of the Tonypandy Riots....
in 1976, and sponsored Pontypridd RFC from the early nineties until 2004. It employed numerous former players, including Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins MBE is a former rugby union football player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the third highest on the List of leading Rugby...
and Lee Beach
Lee Beach
Lee Beach is a Welsh rugby union player. He initially played his club Rugby for Pontypridd RFC before joining Neath RFC. He currently plays for London Welsh RFC. Beach represented the Wales national rugby union team squad in 2009 and captained the World Cup winning team.-References:...
and ran the Buy As You View Schools Rugby Initiative, working in partnership with Pontypridd RFC.
Pontypridd's main sponsor from 2004 to 2009 was Pontypridd-based environmental and waste management company, Egan Waste Services.
In 2009, Pontypridd-based company Amber Electrical become the club's main sponsors in a highly publicised partnership deal.
2010 saw Egan Waste Services step up their support of Pontypridd be becoming the Club's main sponsors once more.
Club kit has been supplied by numerous firms, including Umbro
Umbro
Umbro is an English sportswear and football equipment supplier based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England. The company is now part of Nike. Umbro designs, sources, and markets sport-related apparel, footwear, and equipment...
, Hogger Sports, Cica, Rossco, Canterbury of New Zealand
Canterbury of New Zealand
Canterbury of New Zealand is a New Zealand-based sports apparel company that focuses on rugby football. The company is named after the Canterbury area in New Zealand where the company started to make knitwear. Other than producing rugby kits, the brand is also known for their rugby protective wear...
and Kukri Sports. Since 2005, Club kit has been supplied by Italian Sportswear manufacturers, Errea
Erreà
Erreà is a sportswear trademark founded in 1988, in Torrile...
.
Major honours
Western Mail Welsh Championship Champions – 1962/1963, 1975/1976, 1977/1978, 1978/1979WRU Merit Table Champions – 1975/1976
WRU Merit Table Runners Up – 1977/1978, 1978/1979
Welsh Premier Division
Welsh Premier Division
The Welsh Premier Division is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union for the 1990–91 season.-Competition history:...
Champions – 1996/1997
Welsh Premier Division Runners Up – 1994/1995, 2010/11
Welsh Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
Champions – 1995/1996, 2001/2002, 2005/2006, 2010/11
Welsh Cup Runners Up – 1978/1979, 1994/1995, 1996/1997, 2004/2005, 2007/2008
Champions Challenge Cup Champions – 1997
European Rugby Shield
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
Runners Up – 2001/2002
Welsh Leagues
| Season | Division | Pos | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990/1991 | 1 | 5th | 44 | 30 | 2 | 12 |
| 1991/1992 | 1 | 3rd | 47 | 35 | 0 | 12 |
| 1992/1993 | 1 | 5th | 40 | 24 | 3 | 13 |
| 1993/1994 | 1 | 3rd | 43 | 34 | 1 | 8 |
| 1994/1995 | 1 | 2nd | 39 | 30 | 0 | 9 |
| 1995/1996 | 1 | 3rd | 42 | 33 | 1 | 8 |
| 1996/1997 | 1 | 1st | 37 | 29 | 0 | 8 |
| 1997/1998 | 1 | 3rd | 37 | 24 | 3 | 10 |
| 1998/1999 | 1 | 4th | 35 | 21 | 0 | 14 |
| 1999/2000 | 1 | 4th | 33 | 10 | 2 | 11 |
| 2000/2001 | 1 | 6th | 32 | 15 | 0 | 17 |
| 2001/2002 | 1 | 9th | 36 | 20 | 0 | 16 |
| 2002/2003 | 1 | 6th | 36 | 20 | 2 | 14 |
| 2003/2004 | Premier | 3rd | 30 | 20 | 2 | 8 |
| 2004/2005 | Premier | 10th | 32 | 17 | 1 | 14 |
| 2005/2006 | Premier | 3rd | 30 | 21 | 0 | 9 |
| 2006/2007 | Premier | 4th | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 |
| 2007/2008 | Premier | 3rd | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 |
| 2008/2009 | Premier | 5th | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| 2009/2010 | Premier | 4th | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 |
| 2010/2011 | Premier | 1st | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 |
Team Management
Pontypridd RFC have been led by a number of high-profile coaches since the 1980s, Clive Jones – a prominent figure in Treorchy RFCTreorchy RFC
Treorchy Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the village of Treorchy, in the Rhondda Valley, Wales. They formed in 1886 and by 1891 were a strong voice in the Welsh Football Union and were playing in the Rhondda Division...
's 1993/94 Heineken League successes – was instrumental in ensuring Pontypridd's place in the top tier during the latter part of the eighties.
In 1992, Dennis John
Dennis John
Dennis John is a former rugby union coach and player, most notably with Pontypridd RFC. John was appointed caretaker coach to the Wales national rugby union team for 2 matches in 1998 following the departure of Kevin Bowring.-External links:**...
took over as head coach, assisted by former Pontypridd flanker, Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells is a former rugby union player – most notably with Pontypridd RFC – but better known as a rugby union coach.Howells was born in the Rhondda Valleys.-Coaching career:...
, and led Pontypridd into what is widely regarded as their "Golden Age", with Ponty winning the Welsh Cup Final in the 1995/96 season, and winning the Welsh Premier League in the 1996/97 season.
With the departure of John in 1999, former Pontypridd and Wales flanker, Richie Collins became head coach, and while some significant scalps – notably a win over Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
winners Leicester in 2000 – came his way, his tenure in charge was short-lived.
In September 2001, Clive Jones rejoined Pontypridd as Director of Rugby, and had, by December 2001, brought Lynn Howells back from Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
, who then proceeded to marshal the club to become Principality Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
winners in May 2002 and guided the team to the final of the Parker Pen European Shield
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
days later.
The advent of Regional Rugby in 2003 saw Howells depart to become coach of parent-region, the Celtic Warriors
Celtic Warriors
The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, who played in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup between 2003 and 2004.-History:The Warriors were one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era...
, with former Pontypridd flanker, Justin Burnell filling the void.
Burnell's departure in 2004 was followed by the appointment of former Pontypridd flanker, Simon King who, along with assistant coach, former Pontypridd and Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
captain and scrum-half Paul John
Paul John
Paul John is a former Wales international rugby union player with 10 caps. A scrum-half, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, where he was captain....
, guided Pontypridd to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
in 2004/05, before winning it in 2005/06.
Paul John took over as head coach in at the commencement of the 2006/07 season, and, assisted by former Pontypridd and Wales back row, Dale McIntosh
Dale McIntosh
Dale "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born Dale Lynsey Manawa McIntosh on 23 November 1969 in the King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales...
, led the club to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup
WRU Challenge Cup
The WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
in 2007/08.
During May 2010, it was decided that Paul John and Dale McIntosh would switch roles, as the demands on John in his capacity as Head Coach of the Wales Sevens team were becoming too great. Dale McIntosh therefore leads Pontypridd into the 2010/11 season as Head Coach, while Paul John assumes the mantle of Assistant Coach.
The Team Manager is former Pontypridd outside-half, Richard Langmead
Richard Langmead
Richard Langmead, born 31 December, 1972 in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, is a former rugby union player. An outside half, he played his club rugby for Treorchy RFC, Merthyr RFC, Llantrisant RFC and Pontypridd RFC....
, and the Conditioning Coach is Darren Bool.
Notable former management staff
Billy Griffiths (Coach) Clive Jones (Coach & Director of Rugby) Dennis JohnDennis John
Dennis John is a former rugby union coach and player, most notably with Pontypridd RFC. John was appointed caretaker coach to the Wales national rugby union team for 2 matches in 1998 following the departure of Kevin Bowring.-External links:**...
(Coach) Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells is a former rugby union player – most notably with Pontypridd RFC – but better known as a rugby union coach.Howells was born in the Rhondda Valleys.-Coaching career:...
(Coach & Assistant Coach) Richie Collins (Coach) Justin Burnell
Justin Burnell
Justin Burnell is a Welsh former rugby footballer and now a rugby union coach.During his playing career as a back row forward Burnell played for Treorchy RFC, Bridgend RFC and Neath RFC....
(Coach) Simon King (Coach) Steele Lewis (Assistant Coach) Mike Griffiths
Mike Griffiths
Michael "Mike" Griffiths is a former Welsh rugby union player and British Lion, currently coaching Ystrad Rhondda RFC in the Welsh Rugby Union Division 2 East. He plied his trade with Pontypridd RFC between 1997 and 2003, making 73 appearances.Griffiths's father is George Griffiths, a builder, and...
(Scrummaging Coach) Nigel Bezani
Nigel Bezani
Nigel Bezani, known as Baz was a rugby union player who played prop for Pontypridd RFC in the Welsh Premier League.Baz joined Pontypridd from Tylorstown RFC in the 1988/89 season, and captained Pontypridd to the SWALEC Cup win of 1996....
(Team Manager) Eddie Jones (Team Manager) Gary Jones (Team Manager)
Ins and Outs for 2011/12 season
In: Dan Godfrey (Cardiff RFC
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
) Darren Harris (Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC is a Welsh rugby union club based in Merthyr in South Wales. Merthyr RFC are presently members of the Welsh Rugby Union playing in the Division One East League and are a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Early history:...
) Gareth Williams (Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
) Harley Thomson (Llanharan RFC
Llanharan RFC
Llanharn Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Llanharan, South Wales. Llanharan RFC were formally established in 1891-92 when Llanharan was little more than an agricultural hamlet. The earliest photograph on the club house wall is dated 1898...
) Jack Dando (Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
) James Howe (Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC is a Welsh rugby union club based in Merthyr in South Wales. Merthyr RFC are presently members of the Welsh Rugby Union playing in the Division One East League and are a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Early history:...
) Jordan Sieniawski (Llantwit Fardre RFC
Llantwit Fardre RFC
Llantwit Fardre Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the village of Llantwit Fardre, South Wales. The club was formed in its present state in 1946 and obtained membership of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1949...
) Lewis Reece
Lewis Reece
Lewis Reece is a Welsh rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC, having previously played for the South Wales Scorpions rugby league side in the Championship One. His position is at centre/full back.- External links :**...
(South Wales Scorpions
South Wales Scorpions
South Wales Scorpions Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league club formed in 2009, based in Neath, Wales. They are owned by a consortium of South Wales businessmen, led by Phil Davies...
) Lewis K. Williams (Glamorgan Wanderers
Glamorgan Wanderers
Glamorgan Wanderers are a Welsh rugby union club based in Ely, west Cardiff in Wales. The club is located just to the north of Western Cemetery. They currently play in the 1st Division East, having been relegated from the Principality premiership in the 2010-2011 season...
) Pat Palmer
Patrick Palmer (rugby player)
Patrick Palmer is a Welsh rugby union player. A prop forward, he has represented Wales at Under 19 and Under 20 levels....
(Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
)
Out: Brendan Lyons
Brendan Lyons
Brendan Aloysius Lyons was an Australian politician. He was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 1982 election representing the Division of Bass for the Liberal Party...
(Retired) Darren Waters
Darren Waters
Darren Waters is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons regional team having joined them from Pontypridd in May 2011. His position is flanker.- External links :*...
(Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
) Edward Siggery
Edward Siggery
Edward "Ed" David Siggery is a rugby union player at London Irish RFC in the English Premiership, where he plays at flanker....
(London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) Jon Williams (TBC) Kristian Baller
Kristian Baller
Anthony Kristian Baller, born 18 February 1987 in Abercynon, Wales, is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership.Kristian Baller played his youth rugby for Merthyr RFC before returning to his hometown club at senior level....
(Cross Keys RFC
Cross Keys RFC
Cross Keys RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh village of Crosskeys. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons.- History :...
) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
) Lewis Smout (Cardiff RFC
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
) Matthew Screech (Cardiff RFC
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
) Phil Osborne (Retired) WillGriff John (Cardiff RFC
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
)
NB:
While not strictly 'released' by Pontypridd, prop Ryan Harford and scrum half Lewis Jones have both been seconded to the Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
for an unconfirmed period during the 2011–2012 season.
2011/12 Squad
Senior International Sevens Players
Adam ThomasAdam Thomas (rugby union player)
Adam Thomas, born 22 August 1986 in Ynysybwl, Wales, is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership.Thomas was drafted to the Pontypridd squad from his local Ynysybwl RFC club after having impressed the coaching staff during the Silver Ball cup final of 2005.During the...
Calum Thomas Gareth Wyatt
Gareth Wyatt
Gareth Wyatt is a Welsh rugby union player who has won two caps for the Wales national rugby union team.-Education:...
Gavin Dacey
Gavin Dacey
Gavin Dacey, born 19 October 1984 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, is a rugby union player for, and Vice Captain of Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership....
Lewis Williams
Lewis Williams (rugby union player)
Lewis Williams, born 24 October, 1987 in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership....
Matthew Nuthall
Matthew Nuthall
Matthew Dean Nuthall, born 6 July 1983 in Pontypridd, Wales, is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership. Matthew shot to fame at the end of the 2001/02 season with a man of the match performance in his first ever senior outing for Pontypridd against Bridgend...
Owen Williams
Under 20 International Players
Calum Thomas Cory Hill Dean Gunter Lewis Jones Lewis Smout Owen Sheppeard Rhys Downes Rhys WilliamsFormer Players
- See also :Category:Pontypridd RFC players
Duncan Bell Duncan BellDuncan Stuart Crampton Bell is an English rugby union player currently playing for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership at the position of prop. Educated at Colston's Collegiate School, Bristol, he is an England international with five caps.Born in Norfolk, Bell was raised in the South...
Tom BillupsTom BillupsTom Billups was an American rugby union rugby player who played for the USA Eagles as an international and Blackheath Rugby Club, Harlequin F.C., and Pontypridd RFC as a professional. He played at hooker. After retiring in 1999, he accepted an offer to coach the Eagles two years later, keeping...
Billy BostonBilly BostonWilliam John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
Aaron BramwellAaron BramwellAaron Bramwell, is a rugby union player for Neath RFC in the Principality Premiership.-Career:...
Aled BrewAled BrewAled Brew is a Wales international rugby union player who plays as a winger for Newport Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League. He made his debut with the Wales national rugby union team against Ireland in the 2007 Six Nations Championship.-Biography:...
Jonathan BryantJonathan BryantJonathan 'Jon' Bryant is a former Wales Rugby union international. His previous clubs include Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Newport Gwent Dragons and Sale Sharks...
Brent CockbainBrent CockbainBrent John Cockbain is a rugby union player who played lock for Sale Sharks in the English Guinness Premiership, and has won 20 caps for Wales.-Club career:...
Richie Collins Mefin DaviesMefin DaviesDavid Mefin Davies is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for the Ospreys and the Wales national rugby union team.Davies was born in Nantgaredig. He made his international debut on 8 June 2002 at Cape Town, South Africa...
Tommy DavidTom DavidThomas Patrick "Tommy" David is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. He was selected for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and at the time played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. He also played for his home-town club Pontypridd RFC and while at the club was part...
Mefin DaviesMefin DaviesDavid Mefin Davies is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for the Ospreys and the Wales national rugby union team.Davies was born in Nantgaredig. He made his international debut on 8 June 2002 at Cape Town, South Africa...
Ian Evans Dai FlanaganDai FlanaganDavid 'Dai' Flanagan is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC and Cardiff Blues in the Magners League. Flanagan's position of choice is as a Fly-half....
Jason ForsterJason ForsterJason Alistaire Forster is a former international Wales rugby union player. A flanker, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons. He moved on to be player - coach at Doncaster RFC before returning to Wales to coach at Neath RFC.-External links:*...
Ian GoughIan GoughIan Gough is a Welsh rugby union footballer, currently playing for the Ospreys in the Celtic League. His usual position is at lock. He has also played for the Welsh national team, making his debut against South Africa in 1998, and has been a regular since, including playing in the 2006 Six Nations...
Graham Gittins Mike GriffithsMike GriffithsMichael "Mike" Griffiths is a former Welsh rugby union player and British Lion, currently coaching Ystrad Rhondda RFC in the Welsh Rugby Union Division 2 East. He plied his trade with Pontypridd RFC between 1997 and 2003, making 73 appearances.Griffiths's father is George Griffiths, a builder, and...
Lynn HowellsLynn HowellsLynn Howells is a former rugby union player – most notably with Pontypridd RFC – but better known as a rugby union coach.Howells was born in the Rhondda Valleys.-Coaching career:...
Dafydd JamesDafydd JamesDafydd Rhys James is a former Welsh international rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at centre. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. He has earned 45 caps for Wales and three for the British & Irish Lions...Lee Jarvis Lee JarvisLee Jarvis is a former international Wales rugby union player. A outside-half, he played his club rugby for Neath RFC and then with the start of the Welsh regions played for the Newport Gwent Dragons, for only one season. Whilst at Neath he was an excellent team member, great goal kicker...
Gethin JenkinsGethin JenkinsGethin Jenkins is a Wales and British Lions international rugby union player, currently playing for Cardiff Blues. He is the most capped prop-forward for Wales.-Early career:...
Neil JenkinsNeil JenkinsNeil Jenkins MBE is a former rugby union football player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the third highest on the List of leading Rugby...
Dennis JohnDennis JohnDennis John is a former rugby union coach and player, most notably with Pontypridd RFC. John was appointed caretaker coach to the Wales national rugby union team for 2 matches in 1998 following the departure of Kevin Bowring.-External links:**...
Phil JohnPhil John (hooker)Phil John is a former Welsh rugby union player. A hooker, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC and representatrive rugby for the Barbarians.-Notes:...
Paul JohnPaul JohnPaul John is a former Wales international rugby union player with 10 caps. A scrum-half, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, where he was captain....
Gary Jones Paul Knight Geraint LewisGeraint LewisGeraint Lewis is a former Wales international rugby union player.A back row forward, he played club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, Rotherham Titans, Bristol and Bath before returning to Pontypridd at the start of the 2007/08 season....
Nicky LittleNicky LittleNicky Tyrone Little in Tokoroa, New Zealand, is a rugby union footballer. He plays at fly-half. He is a nephew of All Blacks centre Walter Little, but represents Fiji at international level.-Career:...
Christian LoaderChristian LoaderChristian David Loader is a former Wales rugby union player who played prop. He achieved 19 Wales caps between 1995 and 1997. Loader played for Pontypridd RFC and Bath Rugby. He retired in 2006.-Notes:...
Jan MachacekJan MacháčekJan Macháček is a former Czech rugby player. He is one of arguably the two most famous Czech rugby players, along with Martin Jágr...
Pat RiordanPat RiordanPat Riordan is a Canada rugby union player. He plays club rugby for Burnaby Lake, and for the Canada national side, having also played at Pontypridd...
Jonathan Mason Dale McIntoshDale McIntoshDale "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born Dale Lynsey Manawa McIntosh on 23 November 1969 in the King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales...
Kevin Morgan Michael OwenMichael Owen (rugby player)Michael Owen , was educated at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive school in Beddau and was a Welsh rugby union player. He played for Saracens at club level and Wales internationally, having previously represented Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League. Owen, who is , most often played Number 8, but...
Sonny Parker Richard ParksRichard ParksRichard David Parks is a former Wales international rugby union player, representing Newport RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Leeds Tykes, Perpignan and Newport Gwent Dragons at club and regional level. In May 2009 he was forced to retire from rugby due to a shoulder injury...Bob Penberthy Bob PenberthyBob Penberthy is a former rugby union player who set the record for appearances for Pontypridd RFC between 1961 and 1985.-References:...
Matthew ReesMatthew ReesMatthew Rees is a Wales and British Lions international rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Scarlets in the Celtic League. His usual position is at hooker...
Russell RobinsRussell RobinsRussell John Robins is a former Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level has played rugby union for British Lions, and Wales, and at club level for Pontypridd RFC, playing at Lock, Flanker, or Number eight, i.e...
Rhys ShellardRhys ShellardRhys Shellard born 25 June 1985 in Aberdare, Wales is a rugby union player for Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Blues in the Magners League. He previously played with Aberdare RFC and most notably, Pontypridd RFC. At The end of the 2007/08 season Shellard left the Blues. Shellard's position of choice is as...
Robert SidoliRobert SidoliRobert Sidoli is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons.He has won 42 caps for Wales as a lock forward...
Nigel SimpsonNigel SimpsonNigel Tausie Ashton Simpson is a rugby union player.-Biography:Simpson is of Rotuman and English descent. His mother is Rotuman from Malha'a, Rotuma and his father is English.-Career:...
Morgan StoddartMorgan StoddartMorgan Lloyd Stoddart is a Welsh international rugby union player. His usual position is at fullback.He currently plays for Welsh regional side the Scarlets and plays international rugby for Wales.- Treorchy RFC :...
Nathan Strong Ceri SweeneyCeri SweeneyCeri Sweeney is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Cardiff Blues and Wales.-Club career:In 1998, Sweeney joined Pontypridd RFC from Glyncoch RFC....
Ngalu Ta'u Lee ThomasLee Thomas (rugby player)Lee Thomas is a Welsh rugby union player. His first professional club was Cardiff RFC which he joined in 2002. He then played for Pontypridd RFC and Celtic Warriors from 2003 until the Warriors disbanded in 2004, he returned to the capital where he stayed for two years with the Cardiff Blues until...
Edward TreharneEdward TreharneEdward Llewellyn Treharne was a Welsh rugby union forward who played club rugby for Pontypridd and Cardiff, and international rugby for Wales. He is most notable for being a member of the first Wales international team that played England in 1881...
Fe'ao Vunipola Martyn WilliamsMartyn WilliamsMartyn Elwyn Williams is a Welsh international rugby union player. A flanker, he plays for Cardiff Blues and the Wales national rugby union team as an open-side flanker...
Tom WilliamsTom Williams (Welsh rugby player)Thomas Williams was a Welsh rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff and Pontypridd and international rugby for Wales. A solicitor by profession, Williams would later become a national selector for the Welsh Rugby Union...
Club Captains
- 1876–77 James Spickett
- 1877–79 Henry Briscoe
- 1880–81 David Treharne
- 1883–84 William Spickett
- 1894–95 Ernest George
- 1895–96 Jack Morgan
- 1898–99 Billy Rees
- 1900–? Rowley Thomas
- 1906–07 Duncan McGregor
- 1911–? Frank Hawkins
- 1920 W R Thomas
- 1928–29 Dick Elliott
- 1945–46 Jeff Scott
- 1946–47 Jeff Scott
- 1947–48 Len Arnold
- 1948–49 Viv Jenkins/Dennis Prater/Tom Hughes
- 1949–50 Des Jones
- 1950–51 Des Jones/Roy Roberts
- 1951–52 Des Jones
- 1952–53 Bobby Narbett
- 1953–54 Gordon Matthews
- 1954–55 Gordon Matthews
- 1995-56 Russell RobinsRussell RobinsRussell John Robins is a former Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level has played rugby union for British Lions, and Wales, and at club level for Pontypridd RFC, playing at Lock, Flanker, or Number eight, i.e...
- 1956–57 Russell Robins
- 1957–58 Russell Robins
- 1958–59 Jock Watkins
- 1959–60 T Brian "Shrimp" Williams
- 1960–61 Graham Gittins
- 1961–62 Graham Gittins
- 1962–63 Eddie Jones
- 1963–64 Eddie Jones
- 1964–65 Russell Jones
- 1965–66 Tommy Coombes
- 1966–67 Byron Broadstock/Tommy Coombes
- 1967–68 Joe Smith
- 1968–69 Arfon Jones
- 1969–70 Joe Smith
- 1970–71 Bob PenberthyBob PenberthyBob Penberthy is a former rugby union player who set the record for appearances for Pontypridd RFC between 1961 and 1985.-References:...
- 1971–72 Dennis JohnDennis JohnDennis John is a former rugby union coach and player, most notably with Pontypridd RFC. John was appointed caretaker coach to the Wales national rugby union team for 2 matches in 1998 following the departure of Kevin Bowring.-External links:**...
- 1972–73 Dennis John
- 1973–74 Wayne Evans
- 1974–75 Bill Davey
- 1975–76 Bob Penberthy
- 1976–77 Bob Penberthy
- 1977–78 Tommy DavidTom DavidThomas Patrick "Tommy" David is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. He was selected for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and at the time played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. He also played for his home-town club Pontypridd RFC and while at the club was part...
- 1978–79 Tommy David
- 1979–80 Tommy David
- 1980–81 Tommy David
- 1981–82 Robin Morgan
- 1982–83 Mike Alexander
- 1983–84 Bob Dyer
- 1984–85 John O'Callaghan
- 1985–86 Kerry Williams
- 1986–87 Kerry Williams
- 1987–88 Phil John
- 1988–89 Ceri Jones
- 1989–90 Ceri Jones
- 1990–91 Paul Knight
- 1991–92 Steele Lewis
- 1992–93 Nigel BezaniNigel BezaniNigel Bezani, known as Baz was a rugby union player who played prop for Pontypridd RFC in the Welsh Premier League.Baz joined Pontypridd from Tylorstown RFC in the 1988/89 season, and captained Pontypridd to the SWALEC Cup win of 1996....
- 1993–94 Nigel Bezani
- 1994–95 Nigel Bezani
- 1995–96 Nigel Bezani
- 1996–97 Neil JenkinsNeil JenkinsNeil Jenkins MBE is a former rugby union football player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the third highest on the List of leading Rugby...
- 1997–98 Neil Jenkins
- 1998–99 Neil Jenkins
- 1999–2000 Dale McIntoshDale McIntoshDale "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born Dale Lynsey Manawa McIntosh on 23 November 1969 in the King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales...
- 2000–01 Paul JohnPaul JohnPaul John is a former Wales international rugby union player with 10 caps. A scrum-half, he played his club rugby for Pontypridd RFC, where he was captain....
- 2001–02 Dale McIntosh
- 2002–03 Mefin DaviesMefin DaviesDavid Mefin Davies is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for the Ospreys and the Wales national rugby union team.Davies was born in Nantgaredig. He made his international debut on 8 June 2002 at Cape Town, South Africa...
- 2003–04 Dale McIntosh
- 2004–05 Dale McIntosh/Paul Matthews
- 2005–06 Dale McIntosh
- 2006–07 Nathan Strong
- 2007–08 Nathan Strong
- 2008–09 Nathan Strong
- 2009–10 Nathan Strong
- 2010–11 Chris DicomidisChris DicomidisChristopher David Dicomidis, born 14 September 1985 in Pencoed, Wales, is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership, and for the Cyprus National Rugby Union Team....
- 2011–12 Chris Dicomidis
Games played against international opposition
| Year | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 26 September | Loss | 3–9 | 1979 Romania rugby union tour of Wales 1979 Romania rugby union tour of Wales The 1979 Romania rugby union tour of Wales was a series of five matches played by the Romania national rugby union team in Wales in September and October 1979. The Romanian team won four of their tour matches and lost the fifth, against a full-strength Welsh national side, by only a single point... |
|
| 1981 | 1 December | Loss | 3–6 | 1981–82 Australia tour of Britain & Ireland 1981-82 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland The 1981-82 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland was a series of matches played by the Australia national rugby union team . The touring team played twenty-three matches between October 1981 and January 1982, winning sixteen games, drawing one and losing six... |
|
| 1985 | 10 April | Win | 6–4 | 1985 Spain tour of Wales | |
| 1994 | 22 November | Loss | 3–9 | 1994 South African invitational | |
| 1995 | 4 November | Win | 31–13 | 1995 Fiji tour of Wales | |
| 1997 | 7 January | Loss | 13–15 | 1997 USA tour of Wales | |
| 1998 | 10 January | Win | 34–3 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational | |
| 1999 | 23 January | Win | 52–10 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational | |
| 1999 | 27 January | Win | 69–7 | WRU Challenge Cup International Invitational | |
| 1999 | 18 August | Win | 20–6 | 1999 Canada tour of Wales |
Pontypridd youth and junior teams
With the loss of their extremely successful Academy set up that was handed over to their Cardiff rivals by the WRU, Pontypridd RFC re-formed a Youth side in 2006, coached by Sean Oliver and Wayne Gristock (formerly Porth Harlequins RFCPorth Harlequins RFC
Porth Harlequins Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in Porth in the Rhondda Valley. Porth RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues....
).
Starting in the bottom division of the Blues league, the side made notable progress that saw them punch well above their weight and earn the nickname the 'Upstarts', when after hugely successful first season that saw them promoted seven divisions to the BB League (Blues Second Division).
The following season saw the formation of a second Youth team who again had to start in the bottom league and were coached by former Pontypridd players Dai Legge and Mike Kelleher. By the end of the 2007/8 season both youth teams had won their perspective leagues outright and earned automatic promotion, with the senior youth now playing in the top division in only their third season since forming. Several youth players have gained notable honours, including representative honours with Welsh Crawshays and Welsh Schoolboys, with players in the Cardiff Blues Academy and several older players now training with Pontypridd RFC's senior team.
Behind this successful youth setup is the Pontypridd Mini & Junior Section that was formed in 1997, the section started out with just a handful of junior players and volunteer coaches, but has grown into one of the biggest and most successful junior sections in Wales. The section contains every age group from under 7's to under 16's, with the youth sides containing players under the age of 19; with almost 300 young players in their ever-swelling ranks. The section is hugely successful, winning dozens of tournaments and trophies each season, and competing successfully in international tournaments throughout Europe where they have won every foreign tournament they have entered.
At the commencement of the 2008/09 season, it was decided that both Senior and Junior Youth teams would merge, forming a large and capable new Pontypridd Youth section. The new season will see a single squad of thirty-five players being selected, playing in the 2008–09 RAF Youth League: Blues Region. The squad is coached by Wayne Gristock and Sean Oliver, and managed by Chris Kingsbury MBE.
Prior to the commencement of the 2010/11 season, notification was given of a major change in the running of the Youth section, as it was decided that the section would transfer from the hands of the Mini & Junior Rugby section, and would instead fall under the remit of the senior Team Management. The hope is to discover new stars of the future, who will regularly train alongside the main body of the senior XV, echoing the past achievements of the Pontypridd Youth setup in bringing Michael Owen, Gethin Jenkins and Ceri Sweeney, amongst others, to the attention of the World.
See also
- Celtic WarriorsCeltic WarriorsThe Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, who played in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup between 2003 and 2004.-History:The Warriors were one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era...
- Celtic LeagueCeltic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
- Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
- Parker Pen European ShieldEuropean Challenge CupThe European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
- British and Irish CupBritish and Irish CupThe British and Irish Cup is a semi-professional northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It took place for the first time in the 2009/10 season...
- Principality PremiershipWelsh Premier DivisionThe Welsh Premier Division is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union for the 1990–91 season.-Competition history:...
- SWALEC CupWRU Challenge CupThe WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
External links
- Ponty.net Official website
- Ponty Rugby Unofficial website
- TerraceTalk Pontypridd Rugby supporters' forum
- PontyKids Pontypridd Mini and Junior Rugby
- PontyYouth Pontypridd Academy and development rugby