Captains Fantastic
Pontypridd RFC are delighted to report that Kristian Parker will again lead the team as club captain, and he will be supported by Garyn Smith and Macauley Cook as joint-vice captains for the 2023/24 season.
Kristian was initially announced as the club’s vice captain for the 2021/22 season when rugby restarted after the Covid-pandemic. It wasn’t long into that campaign that Kris was appointed captain on a full-time basis following Morgan Sieniawski’s departure back to the Wales 7’s squad. Captain Parker, who made his debut for Pontypridd in May 2019 has always led by example putting his body on the line for the team and will now remain in the role for a third season.
Offering huge support to Kris and the team are the appointments of new joint-vice captains Garyn Smith and Macauley Cook. Local lads Smith and Cook have returned to Ponty for the upcoming campaign following stellar careers over many years in the professional game. The experience and support that Garyn and Macauley will bring to the team both on and off the pitch will no doubt prove invaluable moving forward.
On officially leading the team for a third season, Parker said: “To be given the chance to lead this club again is a massive honour and I didn’t think twice about accepting the role. Being a local boy and supporting Ponty from a young age, it is an honour to follow on from a long list of legends that have led the club. The squad has been strengthened over the summer, and to have boys such as Garyn and Macualey coming into the squad only adds to the leadership within the changing room. I honestly believe this squad has so much talent and can go on to achieve something special. As captain I can say that I will give 110% both on and off the field, continue to show supporters how much this club means to me and leave the jersey in a good place.”
Looking forward to his newly appointed role, joint-vice captain Garyn Smith commented: “I’m really happy and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Macauley as vice captains in supporting Kris as club captain for the season. Parker has done a great job in leading the team and has great respect from everyone in the environment, always leading by example. I am really looking forward to supporting him and helping the team to have a successful season after all the hard work done in pre-season.”
Excited for the new campaign, Macauley Cook said: “It’s a huge honour to be named vice captain alongside Garyn to support Kristian as best we can. He’s a great leader and a big character amongst the boys but also leads by example on the pitch. He knows the club very well over the last few years and is the man for the job, but if me and Garyn can help in any way possible with our experiences then we will do. It’s exciting to see where this young squad can get to this season.”
Parker, Smith and Cook – Captains Fantastic
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