Macauley Cook signs for Pontypridd
Pontypridd RFC are thrilled to announce the signing of second row Macauley Cook for the 2023/24 season from English Championship club Jersey Reds.
Born in Church Village, Macauley moved up into the Rhondda Valley and played his early rugby for Treorchy RFC. Destined for a career in the professional game he was drafted into the Cardiff Blues regional academy and whilst a young fledgling lock played his first ever senior game of rugby for Pontypridd. Macauley made 3 appearances for Pontypridd RFC during the 2009-2010 season whilst attached to the Blues. His 4th appearance for the club, 3 years later was a memorable one when Cook finished a sweeping team move to score the winning try as Ponty beat London Welsh 29-22 in the British and Irish Cup at Sardis Road in October 2013.
Macauley went on to have a stellar career with the Cardiff Blues, making 167 appearances before departing across the English Channel to sign for Jersey Reds where he’s plied his trade for the past three seasons. During his three-year stay in Jersey it’s fair to say that Cook has been a cornerstone of the Reds’ pack and helped navigate them to success – he’s won numerous English Championship Player of the Month awards before the pinnacle came this season when he contributed to the men from the Stade Santander International ground lifting the English Championship title. If that fantastic team achievement wasn’t enough, to put the icing on the cake on a personal level Macauley was then named in the RFU Championship Team of the Season 2022/23 just last month.
Having decided to return to Wales following three years in the Channel Islands, Cook signing for Pontypridd for the 2023/24 season is a major coup for the Club and one we are very excited about.
On joining Ponty, the 31 year old former Wales U16, U18 and U20 international said: “I’m really happy to sign with this famous club. I played my first senior game of rugby here at the age of 17 a long time ago surrounded by some club legends. I hope to wear the jersey with pride as many incredible players have done so before me. It’s an exciting young team and the club have been recruiting well for next season so I’m excited to get started and hopefully use some of my experience to help the team in any way I can.”
On securing the services of Cook ahead of the new campaign, Ponty Team Manager Dan Godfrey commented: “Macauley is no stranger to Pontypridd. He has had a very successful career. He’s played for us before and knows exactly what Pontypridd RFC is about. He brings a wealth of experience which will benefit our young squad. We are very excited to have him onboard.”
Welcome to Sardis Road, Macauley!
