By guest columnist Peter Ryan 

 

Days turn into water running through your hands and passing through the stream.

For a professional athlete, a career goes by in the blink of an eye. Aled Summerhill has had a fantastic career and is hunting for his next chapter. A rare blend of skill and spirit, he’s a player who elevates every environment he steps into.

From the heart of Rhondda Cynon Taf, rugby was destined to shape Summerhill’s life. As a young boy, he stood on the Arms Park terraces, a devoted Cardiff supporter, absorbing every moment.

The echoes of those days still fuel his passion for the game. Players don’t ascend to the professional game without unwavering dedication and commitment. This dedication is kindled at grassroots clubs, like the one in Porth where Summerhill began. He shares his profound love for the club and the profound impact of grassroots rugby.

“Porth means a lot to me as it is my local club — that’s where I’m from,” Summerhill reflects.

“It’s the place where I started playing rugby, although it wasn’t for long, as we didn’t have many players. I then went down the road to Ponty Minis. Throughout my career, Porth has consistently supported me, and I’m truly grateful for that.

“Grassroots rugby is so important in Wales. Boys and girls love playing for their home clubs, and it’s more than just rugby to a lot of people.”

He lit up the Dewar Shield as a schoolboy. Cardiff didn’t wait long to bring him into their academy setup.

Having graduated from Cardiff’s academy, Summerhill straddled the border between the Cardiff first team and Pontypridd.

Between 2013 and 2018, Summerhill played 47 times for Ponty, crossing the whitewash 19 times. With blistering pace and an eye for the try line, he made his name on the semi-pro stage.

Defenders struggled to keep up, and the scoreboard often told his story. Summerhill enjoyed a fruitful stint at Sardis Road. He even crossed the try line at the Principality Stadium in a SWALEC Cup encounter against Bridgend. As time progressed, his form translated to the professional stage, and he became a fixture in the Cardiff setup.

Summerhill made his senior debut in 2014, with his breakthrough moment coming a year later. Whilst many players were away with Wales, the back three player stepped up.

Summerhill didn’t just take his chance; he ran with it. Three tries in three games marked the arrival of a player ready for the big stage. The 2018/19 season was his standout campaign, scoring 10 tries in 15 appearances, and he was the in-form winger in Wales at the time.

A season full of highlights included a hat-trick against the Glasgow Warriors. He finished the season in blistering form, crossing the line eight times in eight games. It was a final flourish that turned heads and cemented his status.

Summerhill has quietly paved a strong legacy in Cardiff. He was part of the squad that had a memorable victory in Bilbao. That night, Cardiff secured a 31–30 win over Gloucester in a thrilling Friday night clash.

The Welsh side’s heart was on full display as they put together a phenomenal comeback. In terms of individual accolades, he is the 7th all-time try scorer with 32 tries.

“I loved my time at Cardiff,” Summerhill adds.

“I was lucky to play in a lot of exciting games. You can’t beat the Arms Park on a Friday night when it’s sold out — it’s a great place to play.”

Wearing the red jersey at U18 level, he stood out in age-grade internationals. It was a glimpse of the promise that lay ahead. Summerhill didn’t just play 15s but also performed in 7s.

In 2014, he was a part of the Wales Sevens squad for the HSBC World Sevens Series. In 2015, Summerhill was fingertips away from a 15s cap for Wales, which shows that he was on the radar.

Although the Welshman didn’t earn a Welsh cap, he did face international opposition at the senior level. Cardiff faced Uruguay, and Summerhill scored a try in that encounter. As circumstances changed, Cardiff and Summerhill parted ways, leaving the player in search of a new horizon.

While the wing was his home, Summerhill showed he could shift seamlessly to centre or full-back — wherever the team needed him. With electric pace and a wealth of experience, he would have a lot to offer any club.

“I am currently looking for a club for next season to continue playing, as I feel I still have a lot to offer,” he reveals.

“If an opportunity doesn’t arise to play, then I am looking for other opportunities, both inside and outside of rugby.

“I’ve started my own coaching business, Aled Summerhill Rugby, which I am enjoying. I coach children aged 9–15 and offer one-to-one sessions and small group sessions.”

When asked if he was willing to go abroad, Summerhill’s response was clear.

“Yes, I’d be open to a move away,” Summerhill says.

“Last season, there was some potential for a move to experience something different, but at the time, it wasn’t suitable for my wife and me, as she was heavily pregnant with our baby boy.

“Now that he’s 3 months old, it would be something we would consider.”

Whatever is in store for him, you would back Summerhill to make an impact.

“Rugby has been my life since I can remember,” he finishes.

“I was 6 years old when I started at Porth RFC. It has always given me something to concentrate on from a young age, where I could have ended up going down a different path.”

Tried, tested, and still hungry. Summerhill’s next chapter could be his most exciting.

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