JD Cymru South side Pontypridd United have announced an exciting partnership with Rhondda Cynon Valleys based Esports organisation Pit Ponies.
The partnership sees Ponty United become the first side in the Welsh football pyramid to be officially linked to an Esports club. The aim of the collaboration is to deepen the relation between traditional sport and Esport.
A statement from Pit Ponies read: Pit Ponies, an ambitious esports organisation operating out of the South Wales Valleys, is today proud to announce an exciting partnership with Pontypridd United Football Club, who currently play in the Cymru South region of Cymru Premier’s second division.
The partnership, which sees Pontypridd United become the first club in the Welsh football
pyramid to be officially linked to an esports club, will bridge the gap between traditional sports
and the ever-growing esports space through the sharing of knowledge between the two entities.
Players from Pontypridd United’s first and academy teams will have the unique opportunity to
explore the intricate world of esports through the eyes of an Esports Wales-affiliated club. Pontypridd United players will also have the chance to test their mettle against their teammates at in-house tournaments hosted by Pit Ponies. Further details pertinent to those events will be announced at a later date.
The two clubs, who both hail from the Rhondda Cynon Taf region of southern Wales, will also
work in tandem to stimulate growth across their respective industries whilst offering
opportunities to local young people.
“As a team we are extremely excited to have linked with Pontypridd United Football Club. As we look to develop as an organisation, we believe this is a huge step in the right direction,” said Cerith Dennis, a committee member for Pit Ponies. “This allows us to educate the players at the club and provide opportunities within the esports scene and throughout the RCT region. We hope to showcase the talent virtually and on the real field, engaging new audiences and continuing to provide new experiences.”
Pontypridd United delighted with new link-up
“We are delighted to have linked up with the Pit Ponies not only because they share our connection within the RCT region, but also the mirrored core values that we have within both organisations. Both clubs have a focus on creating opportunities for young people to thrive within their environments and by working together, we can create exciting new opportunities for our players and the wider community” said Ponty United Commercial Director and Board Member Darren Haines.
“The partnership hopes to bring together football and esports, allowing us to engage new audiences and showcase the talent of our area, in both physical and virtual stages. We look forward to seeing how we can be mutually successful both on the pitch and online; success being gauged in simple enjoyment and involvement.”
What is Esports and who are Pit Ponies
Esports (electronic sports) refers to organised, competitive video gaming. Players and teams compete against each other in various video games, often in tournaments and leagues, to showcase their skills. Esports has grown into a massive global industry, with professional players, teams, and millions of fans worldwide.
Football and Esports have increasingly intersected over recent years with professional clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Barcelona all creating their own Esports teams. This has been used to extend their global reach and widen their fanbase.
Pit Ponies, named after the pit ponies that formed a key pillar of South Wales’ famous coal mine operations from years gone by, is an esports organisation based out of the South Wales Valleys that was established in 2023. The organisation competes in Esports Wales’ Welsh Esports League and presently fields esports rosters in VALORANT; Counter-Strike 2; Dota 2; Overwatch 2; League of Legends; Formula 1 Sim Racing; Rocket League; Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege; EA Sports FC; and the fighting game community.
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