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Nico’s at home in the No 10 shirt
This week we move to the eastern edge of our geographical boundary as we highlight the promising rugby career of Nico Setaro because if ever there was a youngster destined to play rugby then it is this Whitland born-and-bred member of the well-known Setaro rugby fraternity.
Nico is now playing at outside half for Carmarthen Quins under 16s and was delighted recently to sit on the bench for the Scarlets’ team in that age group, and although he didn’t get on to play he is hopeful that he’ll gain selection soon. He is also a regular for the Carmarthen and District Schools Under 16s team, which beat Pembrokeshire and Swansea in the Welsh Cup for their age category and he is looking forward to the semi-finals, when they entertain Blues South at Hendy. He is one of the younger players for Bro Myrrdin School first XV, where he is currently top try scorer with five tries as they compete in a competitive schools’ league and they are currently in a respectable fifth place.
Family involvement
Nico has been involved in rugby for as long as he can remember, going up to Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, the home of Whitland RFC, and kicking a ball around whilst dad Frank was involved with the first team as team manager, as he is today. Frank played for Whitland and Tenby as a strong-running centre, mum Kim loves rugby and enjoys watching Nico play and although younger sister Zoe isn’t a major sports fan she has trained with the ladies’ team in Whitland and was very good at ballet at one time. Nico’s uncle Domenico is the coach at Whitland and like Frank played in the centre for Whitland, as well as for Narberth.
Tag team start
Nico started out in the oval ball game playing tag rugby with Whitland Juniors when he was seven under the watchful eye of Richard Lewis and Steve Earls and helped them become county champions at under 11, as well as winning the popular Neyland tournament on one occasion. He played with the Borderers until this campaign when he decided to move up the line with Carmarthen Quins and getting selected for the Scarlets’ squad was a real boost recently – and reward for a lot of hard work in training.
All-round sportsman
It is also worth recording the fact that Nico is also a more than useful footballer, having again started out at under seven level with Whitland, playing for Lee Williams at St Clears as a central midfielder and recently turning out as a striker with Carmarthen Town. He has scored 11 goals in only seven matches but readily admits that he is not the best player in the air but uses the ‘hit and hope’ theory for banging the balls into the net!
Nico also plays cricket for Whitland and appeared in last season’s Ormond Youth Cup-winning team where he didn’t get the chance to bat or bowl but took a catch in helping Whitland continue their winning streak in the competition.
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