Adam Bowen is the captain of this season's Fishguard and Goodwick RFC youth team despite the fact that he still has one more season to go in this age category and it is clear that this is reward for having an old head on broad young shoulders as far as the oval ball game is concerned.

Adam currently plays prop, which is where he set out before also trying his hand at second row, flanker and No 8 so that a major plus factor for Adam is the fact that in a player availability crisis he can fit almost anywhere in the Young Seagulls' pack!

Adam has also played his fair share of football at Phoenix Park with Goodwick United Juniors but has decided that he will focus on rugby now as a he enjoys the physical contact, the tough training and the camaraderie that exists at The Moors, the home of his only club.

Started rugby by chance

Adam started out with The Seagulls when he was about to enter secondary school after going down with his dad, Peter Bowen, who was a stalwart player with the Phoenix Park crowd and now helps sort out the Goodwick United tote.

By then Adam had been playing football for the club for a couple of seasons but during the time Peter was counting cash and counterfoils he went outside and watched the young rugby players in training - and decided he would like to give it a go!

Adam was made very welcome by coaches Jonathan 'JJ' Jones and Alan Phillips, and was soon enjoying games in the front row as he gained experience and learned how to scrummage and tackle.

County recognition and memorable moments

By the time he was 13 he was a regular in the county set-up and one of his highlights was running out at Parc y Scarlets in taking on their counterparts from Llanelli and scoring a try from close range on the hallowed turf.

Equally as memorable was playing a Dewar Shield game at under 15 level on the Arms Park Ground abutting the National Stadium, the home of Cardiff Blues, and by this time Adam was playing No 8 alongside players of the quality of Sean Colella and Ryan Conbeer, and helping Pembrokeshire to victory.

Adam also played for the Ysgol Bro Gwaun first team coached by Emyr Hughes and they did well to reach the zone final against Ysgol y Preseli but the opposition were good value for victory, despite the efforts of Sean Colella, Robbie Jones and Lewis Davies!

"It was disappointing, to say the least," admitted Adam, "and another low point came last season, ironically after I had been taking time out of rugby to play football.

Nasty arm injury blocks return

"I had decided it was time to return to rugby and texted JJ that I would be available the following week after playing my last game for Goodwick at St Ishmaels - but then I went into a stupid challenge and came out of it with my arm dangling uselessly down by my side and if I tried to move it the pain was awful!"

It wasn't the first time that Adam had seen a bad injury on a pitch because when he was a real nipper he had gone to watch Peter play and saw his dad collapse in a heap after breaking his tibia and fibula.
"It wasn't a pretty sight!" said Adam, with typical under-statement.

Back in action

The family connection with football has continued because his sister Ceri (13) used to play football for Matthew Lamb at Fishguard Sports whilst mum Julie hasn't played - but is described by Adam as '"the best taxi driver ever and a terrific supporter in all that I've tried to do."

With regard to his own injury, it took five months for the arm to heal fully and then Adam was quickly back into the action and has really enjoyed himself since on the rugby pitch.

Enjoyed playing at Phoenix Park

On the football front, Adam played all the way through to under 12s and 13s with Goodwick United alongside the likes of Callum Clark, Sean O'Sullivan and Ben Leahy, and when they were in the under 15 category they did well to reach the cup final against Haverfordwest Cricket Club, who were their main rivals alongside Hakin United.

They also lost in the semi-final of the West Wales Cup for their age group against Llandyssul where he scored from a close-range volley but they still lost 3-2.

Team talks getting better – whilst work keeps him fit

Now that he is team captain of Fishguard & Goodwick Youth in rugby he is determined to lead by example after his name was called out to lead the team at the season's first training session.

"I was nervous about the team talks before the matches but I'm beginning to gain confidence and once the games start I try to encourage our players on the pitch.

"I also work hard in training sessions and since I started work as a herdsman at Brynhyfryd in Wolfscastle, where we milk about 700 cows three times a day, the weight I put on when I broke my arm has fallen off because I have my own natural open-air gymnasium that revolves around lifting heavy calves and even heavier bales of hay!

"Another positive from a job he loves is the fact that although he works five 12-hour shifts per week he always Saturday off to lead his team out onto the pitch!

Promising start as skipper

The Young Seagulls have made a good start by winning three out of four matches, their only defeat coming against a very powerful Crymych side at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

"But we beat Milford Haven 52-0 at home, Cardigan 58-10 at the King George Vth Ground and St Davids 40-0 away; I've even managed to score a couple of tries and the coaches told me they were pleased with the way things are shaping up."

And finally . . .

Ask Adam about rugby ambitions and he would say that he just wants to reach the highest level he can through his own hard work and to enjoy being involved at The Moors as a Seagull through and through already.

Chat to him for a short while, as we did, and that commitment to their cause shines through and we wish Adam Bowen every success because he is a modest, mature and pleasant young feller who is a credit to his family and his club!