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Page 1 of 2 The Pontypridd under 17s are on a winning run at this early stage of the season, with three wins out of four games under their belt. Having lost the first match of the season away to Ystrad Rhondda, Ponty have then accounted for Newport HSOB (H), Pencoed (A), and St Josephs (H).
An important factor for the under 17’s coach, Andrew Watkins, is to generate a team spirit amongst the boys that will make them bond off the field as well as on it. It is vital for Pontypridd RFC that the current squad are kept together, and can progress next season to represent the club at full Youth level. The under 17 age group is proving to be a difficult one to maintain, with three clubs having folded already this year. A common problem is that other clubs in the locality are trying to entice the under 17 players away with promises of youth level rugby and youth tours. In a bid to give the squad a higher profile within the club, the under 17s have now been given the opportunity to join in training sessions with the Ponty senior squad, the first such session held at the Ty’n-y-Wern playing fields two weeks ago. Even though the session was held on a horrendous evening of continuous heavy rain, the Ponty youngsters thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being mentored by coaches Simon King and Paul John, and mixing it with the senior players. It is planned to hold similar training sessions at regular intervals through the season. The under 17s took part in another special occasion on Tuesday evening 18th October, when Blues backs coach Rob Howley and current Wales scrum half Dwayne Peel came up to Sardis Road to take a training session. This event came to be thanks to the generosity of Grogg Shop owner John Hughes. John had attended Rob Howley’s testimonial dinner, and had won an auction bid for a training session with Howley and Peel, with the prize then being donated to the Pontypridd under 17s squad. On the night, Rob Howley supervised a full training stint for an hour, with Dwayne Peel confined to watching from the sidelines, due to an ankle injury. The two British Lions then hosted a question and answer session with the Ponty youngsters in the Sardis Road changing room, which was a great experience for all the boys. The Pontypridd under 17s are seeking a sponsor for the season, to assist with the purchase of track suits, kit bags and other accessories for the squad. Any local businesses interested in giving their backing to the team, and enabling them to stay together to youth level next year, are asked to contact coach Andrew Watkins on 07886 709888.
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