18 March 2021

Rugby fan from Aberystwyth wins their story on a seat at Principality Stadium

A Welsh rugby fan from Aberystwyth has won a competition to have his story on a seat at the nation’s home of rugby, Principality Stadium.

Thomas Kendall, 19, from Aberystwyth, was awarded the prize in a competition run by Principality Building Society after sharing a heartfelt memory of helping his grandad, Richard Kendall, tick watching Wales play in the Stadium off his bucket list. 

As proud partners of the Stadium, Wales’ largest building society launched the competition to find Welsh rugby fans’ best memories and unique stories from over two decades of games at the Stadium. Over 500 people across Wales entered and shared their unforgettable stories.

Thomas is one of 12 winners whose story will be attached to a seat at Principality Stadium, ensuring these stories can live on and be enjoyed by fans when the doors are opened once again. 

In 2009, Thomas’ grandad, Richard, was diagnosed with dementia. Being an adventurer at heart, Richard was inspired to write a bucket list of all the things he wanted to do while he still could. Ten years on, Thomas shared with Principality how, at the age of nine, they ticked one of the things off that list together during the Wales v England game.

Speaking about that day, Thomas said: “I remember seeing my grandad’s eyes lighting up with excitement as we took to our seats. The choir on the pitch belted out Delilah and Hymns and Arias, and the crowd sang the national anthems at the top of their voices. I know Grandad felt so alive witnessing this spectacle. He was in his element. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to make these special memories with my grandad, and it’s these memories of him that I will always hold close to my heart.”

Thomas and the 11 other winners have also been invited to watch a match when stadia are permitted to welcome fans back to relive those special moments.
A panel of judges – including Wales’ top try-scorer Shane Williams – were responsible for choosing 12 of their favourite stories from the hundreds of entries.

Shane said: “There were hundreds of amazing entries for the competition and it was a big challenge trying to pick the winners, but Thomas’ and the other 11 winning stories really stood out to me. It’s clear the Principality Stadium is home to so many special memories for people across Wales. We’re grateful to everyone that shared their stories and now the winners will always be part of Principality Stadium history.”

Shane surprises the competition winners in the video below.

Since January 2019, Principality has supported its charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, raising over £130,000 to its Dementia Connect service so far, which is a personalised support service for people or families of those with dementia. The Society is also part of the Companion Calls scheme, where colleagues have regular phone calls with those affected by dementia, to help them feel more connected and less isolated.

Julie-Ann Haines, chief executive of Principality said: “With fans not being able to fill the seats during this past year’s rugby matches at Principality Stadium, we wanted to celebrate the stories of the hundreds of thousands of Welsh supporters who have sat in those seats over the years. It’s a place which holds special memories for so many, including Thomas. 
“His grandfather’s diagnosis of dementia is something that is close to our hearts as a building society raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society, a charity partner that is so important to us. We’re so glad to be able celebrate these winning stories and cheer on the boys in what has been a thrilling tournament so far.”

To read more about Thomas’ story, go to: www.principality.co.uk/everyseat

Published: 18/03/2021