Rugby Feature 2026/27:

 

 
Aberaeron RFC were rightly thrilled to have achieved a second successive promotion last campaign and will play the forthcoming season in Division One (West) of the WRU National Leagues - and no-one could be more delighted than Ryan Williams, who is one of three coaches for the first team.
 
They also just missed out on a fantastic double as they played against a very experienced Tenby United in the final of the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup Final at Whitland but although disappointed in defeat they knew that they had played their part in a match worthy of cup final status.
 

Gave an indication of teams they play in their new division

 
But it also provided the Ceredigion ‘Seagulls’ with the chance to assess a team that is typical of their opponents for 2026/27 because ‘The Seasiders’ will play them alongside St Clears, Lampeter, Crymych and other new clubs in an exciting challenge, where Ryan, Aled Gravelle and Dyfrig Dafis will continue as co-coaches.
 
PembrokeshireSport.co.uk first chatted to Ryan almost immediately after the final defeat and was impressed by his comments on the match, and later discovered that he could have been sitting on thee Aberaeron bench to lend his wealth of playing experience to any of the three positions across the front row - but had sustained a broken toe against Whitland!
 

Early days as a junior and youth player with Llandovery RFC

 
Ryan’s family farmed in Pumpsaint, a small village near Llandovery, where his own playing days began as a junior - and where he played throughout the age groups, after a few games in the back row early on but then switching to hooker, where Welsh prop Wyn Jones played all his rugby at youth level alongside him.
 
Neville Hughes was a big influence on his early development and Llandovery won their league a couple of times and just missed out in the Scarlets’ Cup Final.






 

Big step up to senior rugby

 
When he moved into senior rugby, Llandovery had a very experienced front row and so he went to Ammanford to gain his senior experience and enjoyed it so much there that he played for a while, including two seasons as captain whilst still only 21, almost certainly the youngest in the club’s history.
 
Then it was back to Llandovery, where he played almost 50 games for ‘The Drovers’ at the top level of Welsh club rugby and readily admits that it was a real step-up in terms of pace and physicality, but it certainly has served him well in readiness for his coaching experience.




 

A new experience at Brecon with Andy Powell

 
He moved to Brecon after a chat with their coach, former Welsh flanker Andy Powell, who said that he was also continuing as a player but never made it on to the pitch whilst Ryan was there.
“He was rightly known as a bit of a firebrand but the players really bought into his ideas and I have to say I enjoyed it there for my three seasons - although it was always interesting!
 
“We did well and the undoubted highlight was winning the Championship Plate Final at the Principality Stadium against Bonymaen - and anyone who reaches a final there would surely say it was one of their most memorable experiences, from the time we arrived at the ground and walking out in front of our noisy supporters, playing a hard-fought match and then going up to collect the trophy.
 
“The evening celebrations weren’t too bad either, as far as I can remember!”
 

Ryan became a hub officer for Ceredigion Schools

 
By then Ryan was working as the Hub Officer for Ceredigion, charged with the role of increasing interest in the oval-ball game in schools in the Ceredigion area, plus developing skill levels in readiness for the district team to compete in national competitions like the Dewar Shield.
 
During his eight years there he saw Josh Hathaway play for Ceredigion Schools before playing for England under 20s and Wales at senior level, and now with Gloucester, whilst Deian Gwynne has just recently captained the Welsh Under 20s team and is also playing at Gloucester.
 
In addition, Ryan had coached a number of the current Aberaeron side that played in the final through school, like outstanding co-captain  Morgan Llewellyn, Gethin Jenkins, Ifan Davies, Will Stone, Ellis Trigg, Rhys Jones, Fin Webb and Steffan ‘Bwtch’ Jones.





 

Crazy WRU decision across Wales cost Ryan his job – but he has bounced back with true grit!

 
But his role as Hub officer was dramatically halted as the WRU made the crazy decision to call a halt to the role right across the country, including huge criticism from the Pembrokeshire rugby community, whilst retaining administrators on their huge salaries.
 
Ryan deserves every credit for his determination to continue in work he absolutely believes in because he decided to return to university to take his PGCE qualification to become a teacher and his now happily ensconced as a PE teacher so that he can impart his love of sport to others!




 

Family matters - with dad Nigel as a huge factor

 
Ask Ryan about support and he would immediately nominate his father Nigel, whose work in farming prevented him from playing sport after school but has followed his son’s progress from the outset, and still attends almost every match where he is involved.  Ryan would say that dad has been a real help - but does occasionally mention that his boy is slowing down a bit now that he has reached the ‘old age’ of 34!
 
His mum Irene has also provided support in her unique way  in terms of kit cleaning when he was younger but has rarely watched because she gets nervous at the big impacts that are part of the game - and the family is completed by sister Hayley, who is a doctor in Cardiff, and readily admits she has no interest in the game whatsoever.





 

Other sports – and coaching with the Scarlets’ youngsters

 
With regard to other sports, Ryan was a useful cricketer in school but has become a non-starter as his rugby work has always kept him busy him busy - although. He does relax with the odd game of golf with his mates, getting down to a handicap of 16 but simpler enjoys the course’s challenge rather than adopt his competitive nature from rugby!
 
At one stage, Ryan was also heavily involved with coaching young players as part of the Scarlets (West) and Scarlets (Combined) teams and also as a forwards’ coach with the under 18 team and although it meant a great deal of travel, he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working at this ellite level.
 
He stepped down after a while because of his PGCE workload but now that things are a bit more settled, he is looking forward to a chance of working with other coaches at this level because it really does provide a real stimulus to see the player development there!
 

And finally . . .

 
But in the meantime, the emphasis is on the forthcoming season and with pre-season training already under way. His young charges are all from the Aberaeron area and he will join Aled and Dyfrig in making sure that they are ready for the challenge.
 
He is looking forward to the new campaign and we leave the last words to Glyndwr Evans, who was a founder member and spent 40 years as the club secretary, and Parry Evans, another long-serving gentleman in the club.
 
“Ryan has done a great job for us alongside Aled and Dyfrig,” said Glyndwr, “and he is held in huge regard by the players, the committee and supporters at Aberaeron because he is a great people person. Long may he stay with us because he has become a real asset.”
 
Parry rightly recognises that it needs total dedication to the cause and firmly believes that the club is in good hands with Ryan and his co-coaches looking after the players.
 
We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk could pay Ryan Williams no higher tributes as we wish him and his  and his ‘Seagulls’ every success in the future – and especially in their start in Division One (West) in the 2026/27 campaign!