Having taken over the captain’s arm band and the No8 shirt following the departure of Nathan Strong, ‘Dico’ made a big impression during his first season in the job. Despite having his campaign disrupted by injury late on, he made 34 appearances for the club and led by example in taking Ponty to a semi final appearance in the British & Irish Cup, a top finish in the Principality Premiership and a SWALEC Cup final win over Aberavon.
Twelve months on and having benefited from the experience gained, Dicomidis is now ready to lead his club into another campaign.
“Once again it will be a massive honour to lead Pontypridd,” said Dicomidis. “It will also be a huge challenge as we set our standards so high last season, which we now have to maintain and improve. There is unfinished business to put right after losing the Premiership Play Off final to Llanelli, and we also have a tough group in the British & Irish Cup and the status of defending champions in the SWALEC Cup.
“We have a strong squad in place and pre-season training is going well, which indicates that we have every chance of competing for honours again this season.
“The mentality at the club is that every player is a leader and everyone battles for each other. We often have 15 decision makers on the pitch which gives me a huge boost in wearing the captain’s arm band.”
The vice captain’s role at Pontypridd will be shared by a number of senior players within the squad.
Full back Gareth Wyatt, centres Gavin Dacey and Dafydd Lockyer, flanker Wayne O’Connor and lock Ryan Savage have all previously taken over the captaincy and will all be in line to act as deputies to Dicomidis during the course of the season.
