Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny has been granted the freedom of his home town, Gorseinon. The former British and Irish Lions full-back was surprised with the honour at Gorseinon RFC on Saturday, in front of friends, family, members of the club and fellow Wales legend Neil Jenkins.
The 37-year-old, who finished his playing career earlier this year, was born and raised in Gorseinon. He began his rugby journey at six, playing for the club's junior set-up, where he spent countless hours practising his place-kicking with his grandfather.
A huge honour and privilege
"It's a huge honour and privilege to receive the Freedom of the Town award and I'm incredibly grateful to Gorseinon council for recognising me in this way," said Halfpenny. "It's something I'm extremely proud of. To receive it here in Gorseinon Rugby Club where I grew up playing and where my journey began, makes it even more special. It's hard to put into words how much Gorseinon means to me and I've been incredibly fortunate to have represented the town throughout my career."
Members of Gorseinon Rugby Club and the community joined Halfpenny and his family at the club to celebrate, with the youth team forming a guard of honour for the Wales legend.
Career highlights
A three-time Lion, Halfpenny became one of Wales' most reliable servants during the Welsh game's most successful spell since the golden days of the 1970s. As well as touring South Africa, Australia and New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions - winning player of the series Down Under in 2013 - Halfpenny won two Six Nations with Wales, being named Six Nations player of the tournament in the same year as his Lions heroics in Australia.
His 101 Wales caps brought 801 points and two World Cup semi-finals. At club level, Halfpenny turned out for Cardiff, Toulon, Scarlets, Crusaders and Harlequins, finishing his career with Cardiff this year. Having lifted the Challenge Cup and EDF Energy Cup during his first spell with Cardiff, he later picked up the Heineken Cup with Toulon.
New coaching role
Having hung up his boots, Halfpenny - who has spent the last two summers coaching with Wales - will now take on a new coaching role with Cardiff. Addressing the crowd at the rugby club on Saturday, Halfpenny paid tribute to everyone who had supported him during his career.
"I had no idea this was happening," he said. "It's a huge honour and privilege to receive this, I'm so grateful and overwhelmed. I just feel so lucky to have been born and raised in Gorseinon. The people of Gorseinon have been incredible to me."
He added: "It's hard to put into words what this club means to me and what it's done for me. He's not here, but Rob Steele, our head coach, was just an unbelievable mentor and role model for us all. Not only was he a great coach, but he just taught us how to be good people and enjoy rugby."
Halfpenny also thanked his family, team-mates and Neil Jenkins, saying: "I loved every second playing with you guys. I've just been blown away by the support throughout my career. Gorseinon is a special club and it's the people that make this club. The volunteers, the supporters, the players, the coaches - everyone."
"I've just been so proud to represent the club across the world. I just can't thank Gorseinon enough for everything you've given me and my family."
