24 Sep Community bond runs deep for Olding

As human beings, to succeed, we need support. To achieve the best, you need a team. This can often be found in one’s community. Across Wales, tight-knit communities are abundant, Bridgend being one of them. In this town, rugby is more than a game. It is history, identity, and pride carried through generations. You will find local clubs passionate about the sport up and down the county. A player who has grown up in this community is Harry Olding. A prop that packs down for the Ravens, who look to have a big season this year.

The Start
From the shores of Porthcawl to the fields of Bridgend, Olding’s love for rugby was forged in the heartbeat of local clubs. He honed his craft on the pitches of local clubs such as Kenfig Hill and Tondu RFC. There is a unique feeling when entering a local clubhouse in Wales. The warmth hits you as soon as you enter these long-standing establishments. It’s more than just four walls. It’s where life-long bonds are formed, old tales are told, and you join a community that has been going for centuries. For Olding, it was clubs like Kenfig Hill and Tondu where he developed his passion for rugby. The bond runs deep. These clubs are more than names on a jersey; they are part of who he is.

“Kenfig Hill and Tondu both mean a lot to me, as they helped me develop my playing skills and build relationships with players and coaches. They are huge for us at Bridgend, as they give young players a place to develop their skills in a competitive environment before stepping up to the semi-professional level. Both teams gave me a place to fall in love with the game, to make mistakes and learn, and to grow not just as a player but as a person.”

Playing for great teams
His talent caught the attention of the Ospreys as Olding was brought into the Ospreys academy. Olding’s game was also developed at the rugby hotbed that is Llandovery College. It is an institution with a magical aura in Welsh rugby, with some great internationals such as Carwyn James, Alun Wyn Jones and George North having graced its corridors. In 2019, Olding received international honours with Wales under-18s. That year, an incredible opportunity arose; it was time to chase the American dream.

NFL experience
You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger sporting organisation than the NFL. The American juggernaut is not just beloved in America but worldwide. NFL trials opened doors for UK talent to go stateside. Olding shares his story of taking part and moving to London.

“My college and age-grade career slowly came to a close in 2019 when I was 18. I represented Ospreys 18s and was lucky enough to have a Raw Rugby highlight reel made of me playing in my final year at Llandovery College against schools such as Sedbergh and Millfield. The highlight reel had a decent amount of traction and was shown on different media sites, which increased the exposure.

“From there, the NFL contacted me as they were in the early stages of developing an academy team of Europeans from all different sports of US high school age. They wanted to take the team to the States to play top sides like IMG Academy. I opted in for the challenge as I knew how much potential there was to grow in the sport and how far you could go.

“I moved to London at 18, not knowing what was to come or what to expect. I was urged to put on as much weight as possible, so within my first month there, I was training at 135kg at 6’3”. My uncle was a driving factor in my decision to join the academy, as he also informed me how big the NFL is in the US. At the time, just before COVID, I was being watched by Division 1 colleges as I was one of the top prospects in the academy to pick up a full scholarship.

“I believe my adaptation skills from rugby helped my quick learning of the sport. The number of plays in a football offence replicated the different lineout plays we would use in rugby. Ultimately, I did not enjoy the sport as much as I thought I would, so I decided to leave and join the Cardiff Academy just as COVID-19 arrived.

“In 2024, I was invited to join the NFL IPP trials to potentially earn a spot on an NFL team’s roster, joining friends from the academy back in 2019 like Travis Clayton, who earned a roster spot with the Buffalo Bills. I spent a week there, carrying a grade 2 AC joint injury from a game against RGC the week before. I trained through it, but unfortunately, I was much smaller, going back to 120kg rather than the 135kg I had been previously.”

After returning to Wales, he worked at Cardiff Rugby and the Ospreys academy. Olding sharpened his skills in the Welsh club circuit, where he tested himself against seasoned players. The 2021–22 season saw him line up for Ystalyfera RFC. His time with Ystalyfera took his skill set to the next level, ensuring he was ready to come home to the Brewery Field.

A Bridgend Raven
“Playing for Bridgend means a huge deal to me, as it allows me to play for my local club at the highest possible standard. I want the club to do as well as it possibly can, and I will do anything to drive that, more so from a pride point of view.

“Four years ago, I was lucky enough to be asked to play for Ystalyfera, where I made some good friends and was given invaluable game time after COVID. I was training in the gym with my best friend, Morgan Strong, who kindly recommended me to Zac O’Driscoll. The next thing I knew, I was training with Bridgend and then went on to play.”

For Olding, wearing the Bridgend Ravens colours carries immense pride, yet his respect for Ystalyfera remains a lasting tribute.

Stint at the Brewery Field
Since coming to Brewery Field, Olding has become a consistent presence within the squad, surpassing 50 appearances. Olding is a physically relentless player who has left his mark on Welsh rugby by crossing the line against giants like Newport and Swansea.

As the new season approaches, expect good things at the Brewery Field. During last year’s latter stages, they showed what the side was capable of, with big wins against Llandovery and Swansea. This built a strong platform for success going into a new season. One thing is certain: Olding will give everything to help his side.

“Rugby taught me to channel my emotions instead of letting them control me. It’s given me the discipline to push through challenges on and off the field. It’s where I’ve learned to stay focused under pressure, work for something bigger than myself, and make my family proud.”

The quote above perfectly illustrates the bond the Raven has with rugby. Olding shows what rugby is all about: courage to try, pride in the jersey, and love for the team he calls home.

Written by Peter Ryan (x.com/@PeterRyanSports)