Senior Academy; Moving on Up
With the new Super Rygbi Cymru season approaching, RGC are delighted to see another batch of Junior Academy Players stepping up to the Senior Academy for 26/27.
Dylan Avery (Oswestry) Backrow - Dylan has had a strong season in the U18s programme. He captained the team well and produced some good individual performances with strong running lines, aggressive tackling, and being disruptive at the breakdown. The Senior Academy programme will help Dylan achieve the physical development he needs to step up and stand out with the Senior game over the next couple of years. Alongside his rugby, he will be studying at Bangor University.
Jac Williams (Oswestry) Wing - Jac is a very exciting young player who has great athletic potential. He was a standout player in both the Regional Age Grade and Welsh Schools & Colleges competitions last season. Following which he was selected for Wales U18s. He will continue his rugby development in the Senior Academy programme, along with studying at Bangor University.
Gwern ap Rhys (Pwllheli) Fly Half - Gwern impressed when he trained with and against the SRC team on occasions last year. He has a very good understanding for the game, kicks well, and will learn a lot from training day in day out with experienced players such as Billy, Dion, and Danny around him. Gwern is looking for opportunities to train as an accountant alongside his rugby.
Aron Roberts (Nant Conwy) Fullback - Aron had a really good start to the 25/26 season, showing his strong kicking game from full back, however, he was unfortunate to suffer a run of injuries in the second half of the season. Aron has an excellent attitude and will no doubt thrive in the senior academy environment. Aron will also be studying at Bangor University.
Josh Leach - RGC Academy Manager. – “Off the back of the good work the Academy staff have done over the past two years, it’s great to see another good group of Junior Academy players progressing into the Senior Academy. In our efforts to develop future professional and international players for Wales, as well as a strong and sustainable future for RGC, strong junior programmes are essential for laying the foundations across a wider group of players. We have invested a lot of time and effort into developing and supporting our Emerging Player Programme this year, along with transitioning our most high-potential players up into older year groups to stretch them against older players, and to increase their contact time. By doing so, we hope to accelerate the development of these players at an earlier age, increasing their chances of selection into national programmes and the professional game, as well as their ability to have an immediate impact when they step up to the Senior programme.
With the likes of Caio and Charlie moving down South, the opportunity is there for these new Senior Academy players to get exposure in the SRC. Gradually, over the next couple of years, we will be wanting to see the impact they have in SRC games increase to the point that they are on the regional and national radar.