PHOTOS:
Tom Kaijaks
Tom on the pitch for his international debut
Tom in training
 
Rugby & Spotlight Sections:
 

 Ask Tom Kaijaks about the proudest moment in his rugby career so far and he would undoubtedly nominate his selection as loose-head prop for the Welsh Students in their annual match against England, played at Iffley Road, the home of Oxford University rugby, earlier this campaign.
 
Tom hails from Pembroke Dock and is currently a second-year student at Swansea University, and he played the first 70 minutes of a hard-fought match before being given a well-earned rest for the final stages, where Wales unfortunately conceded two tries in a 16-26 reverse.

Long journey proves worthwhile

 
The long journey to face the English students began way back in October 2013, with Welsh- qualified players from UK Universities identified to take part in trials at Cardiff Arms Park, then reducing the squad to 40 players at the WRU Rugby Centre of Excellence, at the Vale of Glamorgan who had t attend weekly training sessions, the Welsh squad of 26 was only finalised in late February for a warm-up game against the RAF, which was unfortunately cancelled,
 
But Tom retained his place to face England and told us,
“I’ll never forget running out onto the pitch, knowing that my family were there; and when the national anthem was played it was a very moving moment for us all.
“Having played in national league rugby was also a help because it helped me adapt to how tough the game is at this level.”

Packed with top players

 
The game was packed with players from Universities from all around the UK, where the quality on show was very apparent, with many players in the English side, from Bath Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Leeds Rugby and Exeter Chiefs, following professional rugby careers alongside full and part-time studies. Wales’ squad also had players from Universities from all around the UK, with some following their professional dreams with the Blues, Dragons, Bristol, Leeds and London Welsh; but with the majority following their rugby pathway in the Welsh leagues.

Real battles faced

 
Tom, who developed through the Pembroke Dock Harlequins RFC and Pembrokeshire County age groups, and represented the Scarlets at U18 and U20 age grades, needed all his 6'4" and 18 stone frame to win his personal battle against his opponents who ply their trade as professionals with Bath Rugby and his replacement with Leeds Rugby, to ensure Wales had the better of the scrums, alongside Ian Williams of Oxford University and London Welsh captain Greg George of Cardiff University and Bridgend RFC, the Welsh had the better of the English students at the scrum, but had to battle to contest in all other aspects of the game before ending up as gritty losers in a match that showed the talent available in both teams.

Started at Bierspool

 
It all seems a long time since Tom set out in the oval ball game having previously tried football but he couldn’t even get into a team. Then at 12  he joined school pals Jonathan Rogers and Jacob Newman, whose respective dads Paul and Jeff coached the Pembroke Dock Quins youngsters at Bierspool alongside Mark Irwin – and he has played rugby as a prop ever since!
“We had a good junior team from under 12 to under 16 and at under 14 level we had good players like Damian Miller, Jack Price, Tom Powell and others as we beat Narberth on their own pitch to win the county championship.”
 

Great family support

 
Ask Tom about other support and he would be quick to name his family, where his dad Colin was a very good player with Pembroke and Swansea (Tom sometimes plays as a self-confessed ‘slogger’ with Pembroke!) and doubles up as a rugby referee, whilst mum Debbie is the ‘world’s best chauffeur’ alongside his musically-talented twin sister Emily. His granddad, Paul Kaijaks, was another great supporter whilst Tom’s big brother Jamie is also a very good prop who has played for the likes of the Ospreys, Swansea, Llanelli and Llandovery – and helped Tom with his scrummaging at impromptu sessions in the kitchen, after moving the table out of the way!
 

Coleg Sir Gar stay

 
Tom then moved from the Quins when he studied at Coleg Sir Gar to study Maths, Physics and Business Studies at A Level and played four seasons for them and the Scarlets squad at under 18 and under 20 levels.
“We had Rob Appleyard from Pembroke as an excellent coach alongside Rob McCusker and Josh Turnbull and we reached the final of the Regions’ Cup before losing to Cardiff Blues.
“From there I moved to Swansea University and really enjoyed the social side as well as doing just about well enough academically (but don’t tell mum and dad!)”

Memorable moments

 
Tom has played the majority of his rugby as a tight-head prop, but has recently moved to loose-head prop to accommodate the needs of Welsh Students and his club, but he enjoys the technical and physical challenges of both tight and loose head prop and intends to continue playing both sides of the scrum. Tom has enjoyed representing Welsh Academicals against Cambridge University and Wales Deaf – and his Swansea University team beat Leads in the BUCS vase but then lost in the semi-final at Newcastle after they had to fly up and back, and play the game, all in the same day!
 

And finally . . .

 
But now Tom is looking forward to playing Cardiff University in the Welsh Varsity game, in front of 50,000 spectators at the Millennium Stadium in April. The previous two weeks will be spent at a special training camp and Tom is understandably looking forward to such a big event.
There could also be a Welsh Students match against the French, with just a little luck!
Looking forward to next rugby season, Tom would love nothing better than to represent Wales again, hopefully alongside his elder brother, Jamie, who has not played this season due to two ankle operations, in Swansea University, Club and Welsh Student colours.
From there he is happy to let rugby matters take their course but we wish Tom Kaijaks further success as a modest young rugby player who is a credit to his family, club and country!