Ryan Conbeer has already represented Wales in rugby at under 16 and under 18 levels, a strong-running winger who is rightly delighted that he has just signed a five-year academy contract with the Scarlets that means he will have to train at Parc y Scarlets four days a week.

It means that he takes another step towards his ambition of being a professional rugby player and will hopefully play against his counterparts from the Ospreys, Blues and Dragons, amongst others, when the new season starts.

First international recognition

It is fitting reward for a total commitment to his chosen sport which also saw him win his West Wales cap and gain international recognition, starting out when he attended trials for the Welsh under 16s at the National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Headquarters, which meant a great deal of travel but proved worthwhile as he was selected to play in a festival at Wellington College in England, where there were two teams called the Welsh Celts and the Welsh Druids to play against some of the regions of England, plus Scotland.

Ryan played for the Celts alongside other Pembrokians in Rhys Davies and Sion Colella as they won two and lost one of their games - and then there was what seemed a long wait until he was told by e-mail that he was included in the full Welsh under 16 squad to play against England at the new complex in Ystrad Mynach.

"I was thrilled," admitted Ryan," and I will never forget running out onto the pitch and singing our national anthem. We had our jerseys presented by Lyn Howells from the WRU and our caps were presented afterwards as another huge highlight."

"We lost quite heavily to a very strong England side but I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience in a Welsh jersey!"

Further honours

There was further recognition during the following campaign when Ryan was again selected to represent his country at under 18 level, playing up a year against very physically strong French and English teams at Cross Keys and Aberavon respectively.

"We were coached by Geraint Lewis and Chris Horsman and the games were very physical because a year's age difference is obvious in terms of size and power - and although we lost it was another step-up in gaining experience at this high level"

Family matters

Ask Ryan about support and he would be very quick to nominate his parents Sheena and Mark for their total commitment alongside older brother Luke, who plays at scrum half or on the wing for Tenby United.
"Mum is a great taxi driver," said Ryan with a chuckle! 

Early start at Heywood Lane and then off to join the Otters

Since the family lived in St Florence it was natural that he joined his pals Jack Broadhurst and Ryan Cole in starting off his own rugby at Heywood Lane at under nine level and being involved for three years alongside good players like Mark Heywood and Carl Wainwright, playing on the wing from the outset.

But the Seasiders didn't run a team at under 12s so Ryan moved to Narberth RFC, where he played until under 16 level in a useful team which won the Pembrokeshire Under 15s title on finals day at Haverfordwest, beating a strong Crymych side.

During his years in junior rugby Ryan's best try total was five in a match, with plenty of hat-tricks, using the pace and power that has always marked his runs to the line.

Playing for County and Scarlets (West)

That season also saw Ryan represent the county team before moving through a couple of trials to make the Scarlets (West) squad coached by Barry John, Johnny Llewellin and Jonathan Evans, which trained every Monday evening on the grass inside the running track at STP School, and worked on the weights in the nearby SAW gymnasium with Simon Roach on Saturday mornings.

"We played the Scarlets (East) three times," Ryan told us, "and after two close victories we made it a hat-trick when we beat them easily at the Lewis Lloyd Ground."

Playing cricket to relax

Ryan's other main sporting interest is having a game of cricket with the 2nd team at Kilgetty, which he admits is more for relaxation than for any serious future intent.

"I'm not a bad fielder and I enjoy batting, although my top score so far is about 30 - but I am looking forward to the challenge of improving my PB this season.

"I really enjoy playing at Kingsmoor," he told us, "and they are a great bunch of lads I play with who really enjoy their cricket like I do!" 

College rugby success

Going back to his rugby, Ryan has been a student at Coleg Sir Gar this year, studying for a Level Three qualification in coach development and fitness and has playing regularly for the college as they reached the final of the Welsh Colleges' Cup.

"All the games were televised for 'Rugbi Pawb' on S4C, with Andy Moore as commentator, and I've had my leg pulled about the number of mentions I got," laughed Ryan, "and we took on Coleg y Cymoedd in the final at the Principality Stadium but unfortunately went down to defeat in a cracking contest!"

And finally . . .

Ryan can now take a bit of a rest because there are no more matches this season after playing all the regions and RGC from North Wales, the highlights being the double success over eventual champions Blues which earned the team, which included Sion Colella, Rhys Davies and Kemsley Mathias from Pembrokeshire, the runners-up spot.

Ask Ryan about ambitions for the future and his response is typically modest but there is no doubt that he is aiming high for a career which he hopes could lead to being a professional player, and even higher with Wales at senior level and then even the British Lions.

Ryan knows that it will mean total commitment, improving his skill levels and even the slice of luck that is needed to steer clear of injury and be in the right place at the right time.

He has already taken those first steps and we wish Ryan Conbeer further success because he really does represent all that is good in rugby at junior and youth levels in Pembrokeshire!