Dan Edwards is the latest ‘Wizard’ to receive international honours as he starts at outside half for Wales U20s against Ireland U20s in the opening game of the U20s 2022 Six Nations.
Ireland U20s V Wales U20s, Friday 4 February, 8pm KO – available to watch on S4C and BBC iPlayer.
The Cwmafan product is currently an Ospreys Academy player, however, this season Edwards made his Aberavon debut and has made eight appearances with a man of the match performance against Carmarthen Quins away.
Edwards is the latest product of the Port Talbot rugby community as the town continues to provide opportunity for children and young men to play rugby.
Aberavon Rugby club contribute to that opportunity by providing the Tata Steel Wizards League for Primary Schools and the Bouygues UK Wizards League for Secondary Schools within the area. Additionally, the Aberavon Schoolboys programme for U11s and U15s provide a natural progression within the sport. A programme where Dan played his rugby.
There are also a number of people that work tirelessly to ensure rugby within the town is thriving and one person in particular deserves a lot of credit.
Michael Dyer currently runs the Aberavon Schoolboys U11 and U15 programme. He works for theWelsh Rugby Union as a Hub Officer in Ysgol Cwm Bromil. Mike has seen many local players grow within the community and excel within their environment.
In the last four seasons there has been a number of players that hail from Port Talbot and have played for Aberavon Schoolboys, Wales U20s and now Aberavon Rugby Club; Jordan Walters (Cwmafan) 37 appearances, Rhys Henry (Cwmafan) 22 appearances, Frankie Jones (Cwmafan) 42 appearances and Rhys Thomas (Taibach) 2 appearances.
Mike Dyer is an extremely proud man.
“It has been a pleasure watching the five boys over the years for their mini and junior clubs and schools. Aberavon Schools have been lucky enough to have four out of five represent us playing wise with Dan playing U15s rugby for Swansea Valley”.
It is the opportunity and legacy that Mike speaks of which is truly where the heart is.
“It is great to see local youngsters have the opportunity to showcase their talents on an International stage.
Hopefully, it can help inspire youngsters in our town”, added Mike Dyer.
In recent years there have been another of players who have represented Aberavon and moved on to play for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, notably Justin Tipuric and Adam Beard. There have been others including James King and Ashley Beck, and of course, most recently Jac Morgan who was named in the Wales’ 2022 Six Nations squad.