01 May Nathan Edwards announces Retirement

Bridgend Ravens centre Nathan Edwards has announced his retirement from the game following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season. 

Nathan played for the final time on Saturday afternoon as Bridgend Ravens overcame Swansea by 24pts to 15 at the Dunraven Brewery Field. Edwards was replaced by Rhys Williams in the 52nd minute of Saturday’s match and received a standing ovation from the sizeable home crowd.

That match was Nathan’s 182nd for Bridgend Ravens over a career that spanned ten seasons with the club. Nathan was Bridgend Ravens Club Captain for three seasons, with Matt Silva handing him the role in 2018, a position he held until 2022. He was a key figure during Bridgend’s promotion season from Division 1 West in 2010/11 and the side which maintained the club’s Premiership status with a final day victory over Pontypridd in 2018/19. There were honours away from the Ravens for Nathan too; he featured for Wales at age grade level, including u20s and also at regional level for Ospreys, playing four times in the LV Cup and for the region’s Premiership Select side. He also played for the Scarlets Premiership Select and in the Singha 7s for the West Wales region.

He burst onto the scene in 2010 and swiftly made himself a fans favourite with the Bridgend faithful as he helped secure Bridgend Ravens survival from relegation from Division 1 West with a number of inspiring performances towards the tail end of the 09/10 season. He was then part of the side which stormed to the Division 1 West Title in 2010/11, culminating in a playoff success against Glamorgan Wanderers at Cardiff Arms Park which secured Bridgend’s promotion to the Premiership with a 38pts to 19 victory.

Nathan enjoyed brief stints away from Bridgend, initially departing the club for Newport in 2014, before moving to Llanelli. There was a homecoming for Edwards in 2018 and arguably his finest moments in the Bridgend jersey were during the 2018/19 campaign when he led the side to a final day victory at Sardis Road which secured Bridgend’s place in the Indigo Premiership.

Following the announcement of his retirement, Nathan commented “It’s been one of the toughest decisions to make, but after two years of injury the time has come to reluctantly retire. I was given my debut at the age of 18 back in 2009 and I will be ever grateful to both Gareth Nicholas and Craig Warlow for providing me with that opportunity. 

Since then I have played 182 games for the club and received the honour of captaining this prestigious club for three seasons. From the relegation fight at Cwmllynfell, to the promotion to the Premiership at the Arms Park and finally the ‘Great escape’ at Sardis Road, I can honestly say I have loved every second in a Bridgend Ravens jersey. I have been privileged enough to have had some outstanding coaches and management during my time at the club. Additionally, I have played with some unbelievably talented players and even better people who have become friends for life. 

I’d like to say a special thank you to the current Coaches / Management, Medical staff, background staff and the players for making my last week at the club memorable, I’ll never forget it. Finally, I’d like to thank the loyal supporters who have always shown me love and support over the years. Even when I played elsewhere I still felt the respect and admiration you had for me as a player and as a person, this is something I am extremely grateful for. 

Thank you for the memories.”

Bridgend Ravens Head Coach, Tom Smith, said “Nath has been a terrific servant to the club. He has been at Bridgend for ten years, captaining us for numbers of seasons. It’s not only his playing attributes that we’ll miss, but also his invaluable leadership. He’s a consummate professional and whether he’s in the team or not, always gives 110% and will do anything to help the team perform and win. I was delighted that we could cap his final game with us with a victory against Swansea. Personally, I’d like to thank Nathan for all the help and support he has given me this year, and wish him the very best for the future alongside his family.”

All at Bridgend Ravens would like to thank Nathan for his incredible service to Bridgend Ravens and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Dunraven Brewery Field next season, this time as a supporter!