AN AMMANFORD sailor has been named the Royal Navy's Under 23 rugby player of the year.

Gareth John Rees, from New Road, scooped the prestigious Brian Weeks Memorial Trophy.

The 21-year-old, who began playing rugby with Ammanford Under 8s before moving on to represent the Scarlets at Under 16 and Under levels, has been described as "the heartbeat" of the Navy side.

Before embarking on a career at sea, the livewire scrum-half turned out for Llandovery in the Principality Premiership, but the call of the ocean turned his head seaward.

He enlisted in April and passed out after basic training in June.

The former Ammanford Juniors and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil is now awaiting deployment on a mine warfare vessel.

Gareth received the award from the Navy's assistant director of rugby Rob O'Kane after his "high tempo, all action game was deservedly acknowledged by his peers" who crowned him U23 Player of the Season.

A Royal Navy rugby spokesman said Rees had been the difference for his side throughout the year.

"Rugby is and always will be a team sport," said the spokesman.

"However, it often requires an individual or two to ensure that the team comes together and fully fires on all cylinders.

"On the field Rees was the heartbeat of this season’s U23 team.

"In front of him he had forwards who were prepared to drive themselves to a standstill on two Inter Service occasions playing in to strong winds. Every time Rees looked for a short ball option there was a willing carrier.

"This allowed him to manage the game and exploit any opposition lapses in concentration because as soon as the opposition felt that the threat was the one out runner they found out how quick around the fringes Gareth John Rees is and how tactically aware he is of when to release his backline."

Rees becomes the third scrum half to have won the Brian Weeks Memorial Trophy and follows in the foot steps of Wayne John and current Senior XV scrum half, Johnny Stephen.

Like the previous winners Gareth possesses the skill set that should see him win his senior cap in the near future.

Rees proved the key performer during the course of the Navy's two victories in the Inter Services tournaments.