Joey Williams and Aled Evans – Ponty Youth to Senior Squad Graduates
We’re currently in the midst of announcing player signings for the 2025/26 season, a process that will continue over the coming weeks. We’re also delighted to share the news that Joey Williams and Aled Evans have been promoted from Pontypridd Youth and will join the senior squad for the upcoming season.
Joey and Aled are familiar faces to the Ponty faithful having played for the senior side on seven occasions between them last season as well as being involved in numerous matchday squads on top of those appearances. Here’s their story to date…
Joey Williams: Scrum Half, 3 appearances to date – Joey started playing his mini rugby for Ynysybwl U8s before moving to Ponty from U9s to U13s. Unfortunately that particular age group disbanded and he moved on and played for Llantrisant RFC and Cambrian RFC. Joey then moved away from the egg-shaped ball to concentrate on the round-shaped ball playing for Swansea City FC. The young scrum-half then returned to rugby playing for Pontypridd Schools in the Dewar Shield. Joey has played all of his youth rugby at Pontypridd RFC and his age grade representative honours as well as Ponty Schools includes Cardiff North age grade captain, Cardiff Rugby U18s and Captain of Coleg y Cymoedd.
On being called into the senior squad for the 2025/26 season, the 18-year-old said: “I’m really looking forward to play for Pontypridd RFC as it’s a huge club with so much history. Being a local boy and having played for the mini and junior section and then the youth team it really is a special club to me and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”
Aled Evans: Back row, 4 appearances to date – Aled played for Ponty Minis and Juniors up until he was U12s when unfortunately like Joey, the team folded. The youngster then moved to Llantrisant RFC until he was U16s before having the opportunity to come back to Pontypridd’s youth team when he was 16 years old. Aled went over the bridge to study in South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Bristol for the past 2 years, and whilst there he captained the first team in the ACE competition.
Aled’s representative honours include playing for Pontypridd Schools district at U11s and U15s, as well as representing the Boys Club Of Wales at U16s and also Welsh Academicals U18s. The 18-year-old also tasted Welsh Cup glory when he came off the bench and into the second half action at the Principality Stadium back in April.
On linking up with the senior Ponty squad ahead of the new campaign Aled said: “I was honoured to be selected for my boyhood club this season and I am proud to have signed for the forthcoming season. I can’t wait to get back to it with the team!”
Pontypridd Head Coach Kristian Parker said: “We are very pleased that both Joey and Aled have signed up with the senior squad next season. They were both a big part of the squad last season whilst still attached to the youth so they know they coaches and the players which will obviously help. They are both very good players, and it’s also great from the club’s point of view that the internal pathway is there to promote from within to give players from our mini and juniors and then youth the opportunity to pull a senior shirt on.”
A word of thanks must also go to Pontypridd Youth for helping to develop both Joey and Aled – it’s great to have you onboard for next season lads.
Llongyfarchiadau bois!
