Player Microscope – Jeff Young
Position: Hooker
Someone who has made a big impression for Pontypridd RFC this season is all-action hooker Jeffrey Young. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Jeff started his rugby journey playing for Toronto Nomads U10s, and progressed all the way through their age grade teams into the senior side. He made his debut for the Nomads seniors in 2021 and made 6 appearances in total.
Jeffrey was selected to play for Ontario Blues U15s in 2018 and 2019, and again for their U19s in 2022 as recognition of his talent at provincial level. He attended Shawnigan Lake School for two years and was part of their team that won the provincial title at the end of the 2021/22 season as well.
International honours were next for the young hooker, firstly with Canada U18s on their tour to the Netherlands in 2022, but prior to being capped for their U20s in 2023, Jeff moved to Wales and played his first season in our country in 2023/23. During the aforementioned season, Jeff played for the Cardiff Met conference side and also earned the opportunity to represent the Welsh Academicals.
In 2023 Jeffrey was capped by Canada U20s on their South American tour and also played for the Toronto Arrows academy. He then represented the Canucks U20s during their test series against the USA.
Jeff’s globe trotting didn’t stop there as he headed back to Wales for the 2023/24 season, and after leaving Cardiff Met he joined Bedwas RFC. Whilst with the Bridge Field men he often played on permit for Rhiwbina RFC as well as making sole appearances for Penallta RFC and Trebanos RFC respectively.
Earlier this year, following Canada U20s’ training camp and series against the USA, Jeffrey was invited to train and play with the Canada men’s extended squad where he met Pontypridd old-boy Sion Parry.
It was in the summer of 2024 that Jeff’s rugby career eventually took him to Sardis Road. After some of his previous coaches in Wales reached out to Ponty via some video footage of him in action, the Torontonian then had a call with now Head Coach Kristian Parker and the rest, as they say is history.
On joining the Valley Commandos, Jeffrey said: “The opportunity to come to a great club like Ponty is a massive honour, and I am very thankful for my past coaches who helped get me this opportunity. It’s been a privilege to have so many knowledgeable and experienced players and coaches around to learn from.”
After signing for Pontypridd during pre-season, he started the 2024/25 campaign playing on permit for local club Beddau. He got his chance with Ponty in the team’s fourth match of the season against Narberth, when he made his debut off the bench at Sardis Road.
Since making his club bow Jeff has appeared in every match for the club making 9 appearances, he’s scored two tries and was named Golden Bob Man of the Match when Ponty beat Bonymaen at the beginning of November.
On playing for Pontypridd RFC, the 20-year-old said: “Everytime you step onto the field with a Ponty jersey, you know how much it means to people, the history behind it and how your actions can add a small part to it. As a team, we have the chance to add to the history this year in both the league and the cup, and for that I am incredibly excited.
Looking ahead, I’m just focused on continuing to learn and build from each weeks performance as the season goes on, both individually and as a team.”
