Coleg y Cymoedd have reached a national rugby league college final as they take on Hull FC Sports College this Wednesday at Laund Hill in Huddersfield (kick-off 1.15pm).
It’s the first time that our National Development Academy has reached a final and their head of rugby league, Mark Jones, is delighted at this achievement.
“We are looking forward to our first cup final appearance,” he said. “This will be a huge test for our current crop of talent players against a strong Hull side.
“Head coach Wayne Ponting has done an excellent job of running the RL Academy in my absence, and he will guarantee the boys going into this game will be fully prepared.”
Ponting said: “The season to date has been a very successful one for the academy.
“Being in the North West League and playing against professional clubs’ rugby league academies on a regular basis has had a real positive effect on the academy. It’s tested the boys skill set and knowledge.
“To reach our first cup final has been a massive achievement for the academy and the boys can’t wait to test themselves on the big stage.”
Three graduates from the National Development Academy won full Wales caps in 2024 and there are currently six Cymoedd players training with the Wales Students side.
Clive Griffiths, the WRL Director of Performance, said: “It’s been great to see the fantastic progress that students from Coleg y Cymoedd have made in rugby league. In the short time it’s been operating, it’s helped to produce Super League first team players and full Wales men’s internationals.
“Any Welsh player who is wanting to follow a career in rugby league in year 11 right now, there is an avenue to do this at Coleg y Cymoedd in September. It could be your first step into the 18s pathway and perhaps a Super League and full international career.”
If you would like to train as a professional alongside doing your educational studies at Coleg Y Cymoedd, please contact mark.jones01@cymoedd.ac.uk.
