Talented Templeton teenager Jonathan Morse has been selected for the 'Sporting Giants' programme, and will endeavour to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Eighteen-year-old Jonathan attended trials in Newcastle last August and was delighted to be selected in the rowing squad for the Games in London. A pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland, his first taste of rowing came through 'Concept 2 Indoor Rowing'. At Welsh level, he received a gold in 2006, and went on to receive bronze medals at the British events in 2007 and 2008. Last summer, Jonathan joined the City of Swansea Rowing Club and has taken part in regattas with them. "I was introduced to the sport of rowing by my headteacher, Mr. Robert Newsome, and PE teacher, Miss Judith Roberts, when they persuaded me to take part in the British Championships for the first time," he told the Observer. "Miss Roberts told me about the 'Sporting Giants' programme and told me to go for it," he added. "Thanks to these two people, I have been given the chance to join the programme which could lead to the Olympics, and I would be honoured and delighted to represent my country." The 'Sporting Giants' appeal was the first of its kind, with UK Sport urging potential athletes to make themselves known - providing they fulfilled the basic criteria of being tall, young, with some sort of athletic background. And Jonathan certainly fits the bill, for standing at six-foot two inches, he weighs 185 lbs and has an arm span of six-foot six inches, which is the essential part for rowing! Jonathan is studying for his A levels, and will be training at the Welsh Institute of Sport and at Channel View in Cardiff Bay.
