Testimonial Year for Stuckey and Raikes
Pontypridd RFC are pleased to announce that Club stalwarts Dale Stuckey and Joel Raikes have been awarded a joint-testimonial year for the 2024/25 season.
Dale made his Ponty debut on the 27th September 2014 and Joel made his Club bow on the 6th October 2012, but both joined Pontypridd on a permanent basis in the summer of 2014. Since then they’ve racked up a combined total of 365 appearances for Pontypridd RFC (176 and 189 respectively) and both have been mainstays in the team since their debuts.
Both Dale and Joel would have likely passed the 200 mark individually by now if rugby wasn’t shutdown because of the Covid-pandemic. Pontypridd RFC does recognise the outstanding service that both players have given the Club over the years and next season will be the pair’s well deserved, designated testimonial year.
Commenting on the news, Joel said: “It’s such a privilege to represent the club since I was 18 years old, which feels like yesterday. I’ve met some great people during my time at the club and I’m glad to be sharing my testimonial year with Stuckey.”
Dale added: “It’s a huge honour for me and my family. Growing up all I wanted to do was play for Ponty so to do it as many times as I have and for as long as I have is a huge privilege.”
On the Club awarding Dale and Joel a joint-testimonial year, Pontypridd Director of Rugby Justin Burnell said: “Joel and Dale epitomise everything about Pontypridd. They both joined from local club Ynysybwl and from day one have been the ultimate professionals, leading the squad and guiding the younger players.”
There will be lots of events taking place throughout the 2024/25 season to celebrate the service that Dale and Joel have both given Pontypridd RFC, more details will be published over the coming months.
In the meantime, congratulations to Messrs Stuckey and Raikes #StuckeyAndRaikesTestimonialYear
