The Pontypridd RFC squad has performed admirably throughout the season, claiming a historic league and cup double. The time has come to consider who will earn the accolade of Player of the Year.

Nominations are now being invited for the prestigious Player of the Year Award. Forms can be picked up from the Clubhouse at Sardis Road and returned to the ballot box or completed electronically and e-mailed to: shop@ponty.net

Each and every member of the Ponty squad has been a hero over the past eight months, but one of them must be your own particular favourite – make your decision and cast your vote. The closing date for nominations is 31st May 2013.

The numbers drawn on the night were: 9; 14; 17; 18

The revised Ponty Lotto jackpot now stands at £15,340

There were three tickets bearing three of the lucky numbers, earning a £10 dividend for holders Graham Gittins, David Hughes and Queries team.

The next weekly Ponty Lotto draw will be made on Tuesday evening 28th May. Tickets are currently on sale from the club priced at £1 each.

The club brand is proving to be a valuable accessory,  reflected in the huge demand for replica shirts and leisure wear as provided by official kit providers Rhino. Sales from the Club Shop at Sardis Road and from the on-line shopping facility on the club website  www.ponty.net/e-shop  are at an all time high.

It has come to the attention of Ponty Rugby that some local retailers are jumping on the proverbial bandwagon and manufacturing club branded clothing of their own. The message is: beware of cheap imitations and buy  official merchandise to be guaranteed of quality and customer satisfaction.

The range of Rhino products currently on sale, including three shades of replica shirt in black, white and pink and a wide range of training and leisure wear, is of the highest standard at competitive prices.

The purchase of official merchandise also guarantees that your money spent goes to the club and its kit provider.

Its smart to be seen in Ponty kit these days, smarter still to be sporting the official branded version.

Buy into the concept - Buy Ponty. Buy Rhino.

Alex suffered from the rare condition of Ataxia Telongiectasta which affected his balance and co-ordination. He had been wheel chair bound from the age of eight and received much care at the Ty Hafan Hospice.

Alex's bravery shone through his lifelong battle with illness. He was a dedicated supporter of his local club Beddau, of Pontypridd and of Wales, and appeared as mascot on numerous occasions for club and national teams. His hero was former Ponty and Wales no8 Michael Owen.

The condolences of all at Pontypridd will go to Alex's family and close friends in their time of loss.

Alex's funeral will be held at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff at 11am on Wednesday 29th May, with a reception to follow at Beddau RFC.

Captain Chris Dicomidis along with Ed Siggery and Adam Thomas travelled up on the coach to represent the players, along with many of Pontypridd’s corporate team, including Directors, Supporter’s Club members and long-term Sponsors of the club.

When the delegation arrived in London they were immediately shown into Portcullis House, which was built in 1992 to provide more offices for the Houses of Parliament, located just opposite the main Parliament building.

The club was allocated a room to meet and greet Owen Smith and other South Wales representatives such as Nia Griffiths and Wayne David. Owen Smith made a very passionate speech in recognition of Pontypridd RFC’s successful season and described himself as the “biggest Ponty fan.” He described the reason for the whole day as a “celebration of a season that has been absolutely unparalleled.” He started by thanking the club and gave recognition to all of the long-standing sponsors who are key to Pontypridd’s success.

Mr Smith then went on to praise the statistics of the team winning all but two games in the entire season and achieving the treble by winning the Swalec Cup, the Premiership Play-Off and topping the league. He described the club as “unique” and praised the whole squad by saying that any side they put out this season could beat any other team in the league . He spoke highly of Chris Dicomidis saying his leadership was brilliant and boasted about the club directors saying they were the “backbone of the club.” He concluded by describing the fans as a key ingredient of Pontypridd RFC, and something that no other club has.

Special guest, Michael Owen, former player of Pontypridd RFC also made a short speech and said that he has “immense pride” in being a part of the history of the club, from playing in Ponty schools to playing with his Ponty heroes such as the Chief, Neil Jenkins and Paul John. He said that he felt “privileged to be in that changing room” and that “Ponty Rugby will never die.”

The Chairman of Pontypridd, Roger Davies also made a speech and described the season as “brilliant” and “proud.” He made comment on the final game of the season, the Play-Off Final against Llanelli, and described it as a “superb effort” by the team. He went on to describe the forwards as “the best in Wales” and gave thanks to the team and to Owen Smith in inviting the club to London.

Finally the club delegates were taken on the tour of the Houses of Parliament where they had the opportunity to walk through the passageway from Portcullis House, under Big Ben into the main building. They walked through Westminster Hall, St Stephens Hall, through to the main building where they saw the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Finally through the lobby onto the terrace outside by the Thames for some well earned drinks.

Carrie Toms

Pontypridd RFC was formed in 1876 and has undergone many changes during its existence. The current club structure has been in place since 2003, when from the ashes of the previous organization Ponty Rugby Ltd was formed to manage Pontypridd RFC.    

The current Board of Directors of Ponty Rugby Ltd are all long serving members of the club who are fully committed to its cause. The stated intention has been to ensure that the club can be successful on the field of play, to manage the affairs of the club to the benefit of shareholders and supporters and to provide Pontypridd supporters with a unique identity and affinity with their club.   

The close relationship that the club enjoys with its supporters now needs to be enhanced and the intention of the Board of Directors is to make Pontypridd RFC a true community based club, with supporters having a voice in how the club is managed. The vision is that all supporters become shareholders in their club. This will enable long term decisions to be placed in the hands of those who truly care about the success and future of this remarkable rugby club. Long term financial structures need to be put in place to ensure the club remains successful on the playing field and prospers within its community.   

The strategic aim of the Board is to ensure that ownership of Ponty Rugby Ltd is held by the many loyal supporters who turn up to watch the club through good and bad times. A campaign is being launched to enable:

1,000 Ponty supporters to become shareholders

The aim is to offer an affordable scheme for supporters to purchase Ponty Rugby Ltd shares by means of a standing order of £10 each month from their bank account to be paid into a shareholders fund. Currently each share has a value of £50 :- each supporter willing to commit to paying a monthly standing order of £10 will receive a share certificate from Ponty Rugby Ltd every five months. A register of standing orders and shareholders will be maintained.

A target of 1000 supporters purchasing shares with a monthly standing order of £10 will generate a monthly income of £10000. This sum combined with sponsor’s income, WRU grant and other funding projects will enable long term financial stability for the club. It will also empower supporters to take part in shareholder meetings, vote in members of the Board and have full visibility of all financial expenditure and income.   

Ponty Rugby Ltd appeals to all members and supporters to buy into the BOSS initiative - the process is a simple one by printing off the attached form and returning copies to your bank and to the Club Office or forwarding the electronic version to: shares@ponty.net

Board of Directors

Ponty Rugby Ltd