Media Team update

We are three months into the 2022/23 season and the Pontypridd RFC Media Team continues to strive to both maintain and improve the club’s profile online whilst working as a vital link between all the different departments at the club to relay all the latest news and events to our supporters, and the wider world.

Over the last few years, either side of the Covid-pandemic there were quite a few changes and re-shuffles in the team but over the last year or so stability has been key. Geraint Thomas continues as head of the club’s media after being promoted to the role just over 12 months ago having been part of the media team for three years prior to that.

Geraint is flanked by a fantastic team around him including Kevin Rudge of Cwm Calon Photography who is the club’s official image provider. Former club Media Officer and ongoing media team stalwart Guto Davies is in charge of producing the club’s matchday programme and the content therein as well as being part of the team that contributes and helps produce the Ponty Radio Show that is aired on local station GTFM. Tom Davy still works tirelessly as the club’s graphics editor and produces the branding for the business. Another stalwart of the club, Dr Alun Granfield continues in his role as club statistician and historian.

There has however, been a few comings, going and tweaks to the Team. Due to the nature of the club’s exciting link-up with the University of South Wales (USW) which sees aspiring, young journalists coming onboard with Ponty, ‘rotation’ in the team will occur. Adam Cleary, who joined the team a year ago and has made a significant contribution to the club writing match reports and presenting the radio show has this season, had to reduce his involvement due to the demands of his Masters’ degree. However, Adam is still heading up the production of the GTFM Ponty Rugby Show along with Guto Davies.

There have been two departures from the media team this season. USW student Zach Johnson-Pillon, who came onboard with the club last season has relocated to Paris in the close-season to study for his Masters Degree in Sports Journalism in IEJ University Paris.

Another long-standing member of the Ponty RFC Media Team Grace Reynolds has also departed due to her commitments outside of her role within the team. Grace has made a significant contribution to the club since joining the team at the beginning of the 2015/16 and during her time with the club has written articles for both the club website and matchday programme, has conducted player interviews for Ponty TV as well as presenting the news on the GTFM Ponty Rugby Show – the club wishes to place on record it’s thanks to Grace and Zach for their contribution, time and hard work whilst being onboard with the club.

As previously mentioned, Pontypridd RFC and USW have built on its existing strong links and we are pleased to announce and would like to extend a warm welcome to Iestyn Thomas who has come onboard with the club’s Media Team.

A native of Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley, Iestyn studied at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera through GCSE and A-Level. He is currently in his first year studying Sports Journalism at USW and said: “It’s brilliant to be joining Pontypridd RFC’s Media Team.”

Always proactive in serving the club’s needs whilst striving to maintain the same level of continuing expertise, The Ponty Media Team is committed to being the link between everything Pontypridd RFC-related and our supporters. Your views as supporters are of course of great importance – you have a range of platforms to engage with the club and your voice will be heard.

The Media Team are a group of hard-working individuals who are passionate about Pontypridd RFC. If you also have the same level of passion for the club and feel like you can make a contribution, we would love to hear from you – please e-mail the Pontypridd RFC Media Team at media@ponty.net