Pembrokeshire Leisure Services NEWS . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Callum certainly practises what he preaches!

It is always a pleasure to highlight the way that someone is putting a lot into sport in our county and it is doubly delightful when that person is only in his mid teens.

One such youngster is Callum Morgan, who is not only involved in playing rugby but also participates in clay pigeon shooting, long-boat rowing and cross-country – yet still finds time to be one of Pembrokeshire’s ‘Gold Young Ambassadors’ in anticipation of 2012 being a time when the Olympic Games can be used to promote an increase of interest in taking part in sport and leisure activities.

His role, along with three other keen teenagers, is to promote sport across our county by attending functions, such as the Sport Pembrokeshire awards, in school assemblies and at youth clubs. He spoke at the awards evening and when Alan Jones, the development officer for golf, held a day promoting the virtues of the sport, Callum was there from start to finish and lending his enthusiasm to what went on.

Early appointment

Callum won the ‘Best Contribution to Sport’ at Key Stage Three and was initially recommended to be involved to be a ‘Young Ambassador’ by one of the 5x60 officers working at Tasker Milward School in Haverfordwest. Callum’s role was then to raise awareness in school about the wide range of activities that could be made available to students and he spoke to youngsters of all ages in their year assemblies, out in the playground and by using notice boards available, all with a view to getting as many young people as possible to try out sporting and leisure activities.

Deserved promotion

From this experience he applied to become a ‘Gold Young Ambassador’ and after reaching the short list of five out of 22 applicants had to attend an interview held by Ben Field, the manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, Russell Jones and Joanne Williams at County Hall. He was delighted to be selected alongside Stephanie Harries, who hails from Haverfordwest but attends Ysgol Dewi Sant.

Both spoke at the 2010 awards evening and were pleased that they had their term of office extended for the period up to the Olympic Games alongside new ‘Gold Young Ambassadors’ Molly Brick and Ben Sutton, with the chance perhaps to be involved with the Olympic Torch in some way and to attend one sport in the games themselves.

Callum enjoys rugby

Callum’s enthusiasm certainly extends to his own sporting involvement because he enjoys a range of sports throughout the year, with rugby being one of his sporting loves. He has played for the Tasker Milward School team, coached by Mr Andy Barlow, throughout his time in school, and regularly trains with the Llangwm Youth team coached by Alan Williams, although he is too young yet to play for them – and helps Nick Gerson coach the Llangwm under 10 team. The family have a great deal to do with sport in the village and he has ever support from parents Miriam and Roger, with elder brother Josh also playing for the Wasps’ youth XV.

Sporting diversity

Callum has also competed for the ‘Corner Piece’ Clay Pigeon Club, using a Lincoln Premier Gold 20-bore shotgun, and gaining in confidence with every shoot. His school work has prevented him taking part as often as he likes recently but he will certainly return to his shooting as soon as possible

Back in Llangwm, Callum also enjoys long-boat rowing and is the senior member of a relatively young crew that has already undertaken the challenge of rowing from their headquarters at Black Tar and down the River Cleddau to Lawrenny. They don’t practice during the winter but once spring comes round the oars will be out at least once a week from then until the end of the summer. He loves the water and is also training to be a lifeguard at Newgale Life Guards Club!

Not content with that diversity of sporting action, Callum also competes in cross country for Tasker Milward and managed to achieve selection for the county by finishing in the first ten runners in his age category – and again practises what he preaches because he readily admits that it isn’t the easiest thing he has done but always works hard to try and achieve his personal best.

Eager to get his message out

But for now Callum will be focussing fully on sending out a message that there is a sport or leisure activity for all youngsters to enjoy – and one only has to chat to him for a short while to see his genuine enthusiasm and commitment for the role.

He is modest, eager and ready to give 100% to his role as a ‘Gold Young Ambassador’ – and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wishes him and his young colleagues a year of real fulfilment because he deserves it for being so involved!

PHOTOS:

Gold Ambassador Callum Morgan.

Callum as stroke in the long boat.

Callum trying his hand at skiing.

Callum with Matthew Freeman, Stephanie Harries and Wyndham Williams at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards.

Callum finishing in the cross-country.