My family were all big Cardiff supporters, so as a child I went to watch them quite a bit and also Bridgend, where I was born and brought up, in Pencoed. Pontypridd was never really on my radar as they were rivals of both teams, but when I was in the Celtic Warriors academy I got to know the Pontypridd players and I quickly fell in love with the place and the supporters, who are the best there is in Wales in my opinion. Needless to say, I am very happy with the way things have worked out.
Pencoed Comp had a good rugby reputation – Gareth Cooper went there and Sam Costelow and also Tommy Reffell out of the current crop of Wales internationals. My P.E teacher was Simon King, who was also my first head coach at Pontypridd. I was devastated when the Warriors disbanded because we had a great set of boys, a really strong academy and we all had to go our separate ways. It was a mad time really. I got offers from Bridgend RFC, the Ospreys and Cardiff Academies and Pontypridd and it was because of the connection with Simon that I chose to go there. Even now when I see him down my local club Tondu RFC, it is strange not to call him ‘Sir’!
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