Rhys Ffrancon
BBC Sport Wales
Published
Whitchurch High School in north Cardiff has a well-known reputation for sporting excellence.
Alumni include Wales and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton and 2018 Tour de France winner, Geraint Thomas.
However, one of the most recent sporting successes, Siôn Parry, plays international rugby not in the red of Wales but that of Canada.
Parry is currently in Japan with the Canucks ahead of their game against Tonga on 14 September.
The game will decide fifth and sixth spots in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup, the championship between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, USA and Japan.
Childhood in north Wales
Image source, Siôn Parry
“I had a typical Welsh upbringing where rugby was a big part of family life", said open-side flanker Parry.
"I’ve played rugby for as long as I can remember – my Dad played it, my Grandad played it, and all my Uncles too."
Parry's father, Geraint, comes from Aberystwyth while his mother, Kate, hails from Caernarfon.
“We lived up in the north until I was eight, so I played for Mold and also in the Chester area, because that’s where my Dad played," said Parry.
“Then after we moved to Cardiff I played for Rhiwbina in the juniors and stayed with them until the youth and senior teams."
Rhiwbina youth teams are something of a breeding ground for talent with Warburton and Gareth Delve among those having come through their system.
Transition to senior rugby
Image source, Siôn Parry
While at Whitchurch High School, Parry was aware of the sporting heritage there.
“There's been so many big names across different sports – each of them globally known in their field, like Bale, Warburton and Geraint Thomas," said Parry.
"There’s a hall of fame in the school with all the names of everyone who’s had success with Wales or individually.
"That was pretty cool, and you are reminded of that success when you represent the school."
Parry played junior rugby through the age grades with Wales back Ben Thomas, while wing Owen Lane was a year above him in school.
Having played a season of senior rugby for Rhiwbina, Parry moved to Bedwas in the Premiership, then on to Pontypridd where he has played for five years between 2019 and 2024.
The Canada connection
Image source, Siôn Parry
Parry explained the Canada connection.
"My grandparents emigrated there for work in the 1960s," said Parry.
"They were there for about six years and my mum and my uncle were both born in Ottawa.
"I don’t think I have any relatives in Canada now - I might have some distant relatives but the main connection is my mum being born in Ontario."
The link wasn't particularly known until it came to light last year.
"My mum's Welsh and her family's from Gwynedd, so the Canada eligibility wasn't obvious," he said.
"But one of my old coaches is good friends with Rob Howley, who was coaching in Canada last year.
"Through that connection a highlights reel was passed on to Kingsley [Jones], Canada's head coach.
"He decided to take me on the summer tour last year.
"I had about two days to decide if I wanted to go and I'm so glad I took up his offer.”
Image source, Rugby Canada/Getty
After five years at Sardis Road Parry recently left Pontypridd to sign for Ebbw Vale, who will compete in the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru competition this season.
In doing this, Parry is following in Kingsley Jones' career path. They are both back-rowers with Pontypridd, moving to Ebbw Vale, and both now with Canada.
“It’s great to have Kingsley as head coach, he's great and so familiar compared to how coaches back home can be," said Parry.
"The analyst for the Canada team is also Welsh, Gwern James from Aberystwyth, so there’s a fair few of us here!"
The Welsh influence doesn't end there, with current Canada lock Izzak Kelly also playing in Gwent with Pontypool.
Some of the country’s finest ever players, including Gareth Rowlands, Gareth Rees and Morgan Williams, are part of the 500,000 strong Welsh-Canadian community.
Image source, Siôn Parry
Parry won his first two caps on Canada's tour of Tonga last year, but now has four Tests to his name following recent outings against Scotland and Romania.
“We beat Romania, but didn’t do too well against Scotland," said Parry.
"I was injured in the warm-up game on this camp so I haven’t been available to play yet but hopefully I’ll be ok for the Tonga game.
"They're a physical team, they're big boys!”
Canada will play three games in Europe in November, against Romania, Netherlands and Chile.
“I’ve been lucky so far all the games I’ve played for Canada, my parents and girlfriend have all been there," said Parry.
"They were out in Tonga last year for my first cap and came out to Canada for the two recent games in Ottawa.
"But it will be nice when we play in Europe so that family and friends can come watch easily if they want.”
The prospect of facing Wales
Image source, Siôn Parry
How does Parry feel about the prospect of playing Wales one day?
"That would be cool!" he said.
"We played in Wales in 2021 and hopefully we’ll play there again soon. It'd be amazing to be a part of that, it would no doubt be a weird one, but good.”
The idea of singing a different anthem in "O Canada" instead of "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" doesn't faze him either.
"That'd be OK, I’d be proud to sing it and give my all for the team.”
The 2023 World Cup in France was the first in the competition's history not to feature a Canadian team and that is one goal in particular that Parry wants to achieve.
"I want to play for as long as I can and gain as many international caps as possible," said Parry.
"But the main aim now is to play well and be part of the squad that hopefully reaches the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
"Qualification for that begins next year.”
Related topics
- Welsh Rugby
- Wales Sport
