Ystrad Rhondda RFC
 | |||
| Full name | Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 | ||
| Location | Ystrad, Rhondda, Wales | ||
| Ground | Gelligaled Park | ||
| Coach(es) | Bradley Hughes Dylan Jones Tom Heatherington | ||
| Captain | Jarrad Llewellyn | ||
| Most caps | Nathan Hughes (420) | ||
| Top scorer | Rhys Truelove (1,000+) | ||
| League | WRU Admiral Premiership | ||
| 2024-25 | 8th of 13 | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Rygbi Ystrad Rhondda) is a Welsh rugby union team based in Ystrad in the Rhondda Valley. The club was founded in 1884.[1] Ystrad Rhondda RFC plays in the Welsh Rugby Union WRU Admiral Premiership.[2]
History
Foundation and early years
The club was founded in 1884 and is described by Beddau RFC as one of the leading Rhondda Valley and Mid District clubs.[1] The earliest recorded match between Ystrad Rhondda and Pontypridd RFC took place on 24 September 1885, at Ystrad Rhondda, with Pontypridd winning by a goal, a try, and two touches down to nil.[3]
Willie Llewellyn began his rugby career at Ystrad Rhondda before moving on to play for Wales.[4]
Ground
The club plays at Gelligaled Park. First laid out in the 1920s, the space includes playing fields for rugby and cricket, a children's play area, a skatepark and bowling green.[5]
Current squad and structure
The club has junior teams, a youth side and a second XV.[1][6]
Nathan Hughes played 420 times for Ystrad and retired at the end of the 2023-24 season, having been with the club since the age of 18.[6] Outside-half Rhys Truelove has appeared more than 250 times and has scored over 1,000 points for the club.[7][6]
Honours
Domestic
- WRU Division One East Central:
- Titles (1): 2017–18[1]
- WRU Division Two East:
- Titles (3): 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12[1]
- Welsh League Division 6 Central:
- Titles (1): 1994–95[1]
- WRU Championship Cup:
- Runners-up (1): 2022–23[8]
- WRU Swalec Plate:
- Winners (1): 2014–15[9]
- Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy:
- Runners-up (1): 2014–15[10]
- Mid District Cup:
- Winners (3): 1993–94, 2000–01, 2022–23[11]
- Runners-up (1): 2013–14
Notes
- All titles listed are at senior level unless otherwise stated
- Seasons shown reflect the Welsh rugby season format (e.g., 2022–23 represents the season spanning 2022 to 2023)
Notable players
Willie Llewellyn began his rugby career at Ystrad Rhondda and went on to play for Wales, scoring four tries on his debut against England in 1899. He was a member of the Welsh team that defeated the All Blacks in 1905.[4][12]
Mike Griffiths is a product of Ystrad Rhondda RFC who returned to coach the club after his playing career.[1] He earned 38 caps for Wales and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 1989.[13]
Alex Webber, another product of the club, played on the World Sevens circuit for Wales between 2012 and 2015.[6] After 120 appearances and 69 tries for Pontypridd RFC, he returned to Ystrad as player-coach.[14][15]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Division One East Central - Ystrad Rhondda RFC". Beddau RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Welsh Rugby Is Back On Saturday . . . As The Admiral Premiership Returns". Dai Sport. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypridd - Matchday Preview". Pontypridd RFC. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- 1 2 "Wales 1905 v All Blacks Rugby Player Postcards". Rugby Relics. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
Willie Llewellyn scored four tries for Wales against England on his debut in 1899
- ↑ "Gelligaled Park". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Ystrad ready to go one better than last year at #RTP24". Welsh Rugby Union. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Ystrad Rhondda RFC Official Website". Ystrad Rhondda RFC. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Championship Cup final: Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypool". Welsh Rugby Union. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Bywater, Alex (3 May 2015). "SSE SWALEC Plate final: Ystrad Rhondda edge out Newcastle Emlyn in thrilling clash". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Silver Ball Winners Gallery". Glamorgan County RFC. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
2014/15 Penallta RFC Won 22-17 Against Ystrad Rhondda RFC
- ↑ "Truelove stars as Ystrad beat Bargoed". Welsh Rugby Union. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Springbok ace Dai Williams – the greatest wing Wales never capped". Welsh Rugby Union. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Tales from the back of the plane: A reporter's eye view of the 1989 Lions tour". RugbyPass. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Leavers' report". Pontypridd RFC. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Webber turns back clock for Ystrad Rhondda". Welsh Rugby Union. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.