The Wales-qualified youngster who hit the headlines with a monster drop-goal earlier in the season has won a coveted award.
Gwyn Parks propelled a 52-metre shot through the posts for Swansea University when they faced Cardiff Met in the BUCS Super Rugby competition. He was aided by Storm Dudley, which was blowing through south Wales at the time, but it was still a prodigious effort.
Now Parks, whose dad David was born in Gwent, has been named player of the year in the prestigious competition. Voted for by fans, the award featured a shortlist that contained Wales U20s lock Dafydd Jenkins, from Exeter University, Iwan Shenton from Cardiff Met, Harry Craven from Durham and Teddy Leatherbarrow from Loughborough, as well as Parks.
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Parks came through to take the honours.
A cousin of former Wales international Richard Parks, he has been coached by James Hook and Hugh Gustafson in Swansea and had an outstanding campaign as the south-west Wales university finished fifth in the BUCS table.
After winning his gong, he was hailed on social media, with former Maesteg scrum-half Alun Davies tweeting of him: “Awesome and so well-deserved @gwynparks9 — not only best in BUCS but best fly-half in Wales this season,”
Hook, Swansea University’s backs coach, said: “BUCS rugby is of a high standard, so for Gwyn to be named by fans as player of the season is a great pat on the back.
“He is a quality goal-kicker who has a strong kicking game out of hand. His game-control is excellent and he and Daf Lands have been excellent at half-back for us this season.”
The university’s head coach Gustafson said: “Gwyn has matured a lot during his time with us and his leadership has been superb. He’s brave, skilful and has matured a lot with his leadership outstanding. The fundamentals are there to take him to another level.”
It's a significant jump from college rugby to the professional game — of course it is — but Parks will not get ahead of himself and doesn't seem the type to let praise go to his head, telling WalesOnline: “It’s just nice that people think I’ve been playing well.
“I’m definitely proud to have won the award.
“ Hooky has been brilliant, helping me so much this year. I have a lot to thank him for and I’ll be forever grateful for his support and assistance.
“Where will I go next? I’ve had a few chats with [English] Championship clubs but we’ll just see what happens. I just want to kick on with my game and keep developing.”
