Harry can't wait to compete at Commonwealth Games

THE Welsh team in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will certainly have its gymnastics squad enhanced by the inclusion of Pembrokeshire’s very own Harry Owen.

Harry is understandably jubilant to be included in the Welsh squad and it is fitting reward for his total dedication to the sport he set out in as a six year old and graced ever since – working at a regime where 20+ hours a week is the norm.

That sounds an immense amount of work but it is made even more of a commitment because it was maintained throughout his school days and especially during his recently-completed second year of a three-year BSc course at Loughborough University in Sports Coaching.

Harry had attended trials for the Welsh Commonwealth Games gymnastics team and received notification of his selection about a week before the team was made public in the national press and on television.

“I felt ten feet tall,” admitted Harry, “and the number of people contacting me to say well done has been overwhelming.”

At the time of writing the only detail still to be decided was which of the six gymnastic disciplines he would compete in – and was understandably hopeful that he would compete in the pommel horse, vault, floor, rings, parallel bars and high bars so that he could also take part in the battle for the overall competition medals.

Another measure of Harry’s total commitment can be gauged from the fact that he was touring around Germany from the end of last August to December in their Premier League Gymnastics Competition which is so popular as it moves around the country.

He competed most Saturdays for the TSV Linden Club that was based in Frankfurt and again it was part of his learning curve as he managed to include it in his already tight schedule.

“I started out in gymnastics when I was six,” Harry told us, “and it seems such a long time since my father Mark took me along to the local club.

“I enjoyed it from the outset and by the time I was eight I was a member of the Swansea Centre of Excellence so that I could further develop my skills.

“It meant travelling there six times a week and was a huge commitment for my family – and I can’t thank my dad and mum (Sharon) for all that they have done for me ever since.

“I am lucky to have every encouragement from my girl-friend Gaby, who is a very good swimmer.

“St Oswald’s Primary and Greenhill were also brilliant in encouraging me during my time at both schools.”

When he was younger Harry enjoyed other sports and played on the wing for the school and county rugby team which was coached by Andy Grey, who has also helped Harry in gymnastics.

“We went on a great tour to Spain with rugby,” recalled Harry, “and I also competed in the long jump and hurdles in the county schools championships and then for Pembrokeshire Harriers, where Peter Freeman was a great help.

“Golf was another sport I enjoyed at Trefloyne Golf Club and at one time my handicap was down to 18 but it had to go because I needed to focus on gymnastics.”

Throughout his early years Harry had a few tumbles off equipment as he learned ever-more complicated vaults and routines on the range of equipment.

“But you just have to dust yourself off, take a deep breath and get straight back on,” says Harry, “and every care is taken with youngsters to make sure that falls are kept to a minimum.

His determination has certainly paid off because by the time he had reached 13 he was the proud owner of a Welsh senior international vest as he competed for Wales in the Northern European Championships in Norway, with the team coming fifth and Harry was 25th overall – no mean feat for someone who was five years younger than any other competitor!

Harry has now been representing his country for a decade and he still enjoys it as much as when he made his debut. He became British Under 18 champion on the pommel horse, which he regards as his strongest discipline, and an amazing collection of 11 medals (six of them gold ones) in the UK School Games.

In 2001 Harry was selected for the Junior Commonwealth Games held in the Isle of Man and he was delighted to earn the overall bronze medal against some very strong opposition; further proof that he was developing along the right lines in this demanding sport where the smallest errors can be punished heavily.

In the build-up to this super event in Glasgow he has been training for long hours with a dedicated coach at Loughborough in the week and then travelling to Cardiff or Swansea each weekend to link up with the rest of the Welsh Gymnastics squad as the build up continued.

So now it’s all systems go for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“We were measured for our blazers and all the other clothing and kit, and the next step is to be a warm-up spell in Barcelona before the gymnastics squad meet up with the rest of Team Wales which will travel up to Scotland on the 21st July.

“I am really looking forward to getting into action in Glasgow and if anyone wants to follow me on Twitter they can do so on @harryowen93.”

So what about sometime in the future when his gymnastics days are over?

“I might consider teaching or coaching as a career but there are also other exciting options to consider, like joining the Circe de Soleil in venues like Las Vegas and putting my gymnastics skills to good effect there.

“But all that is in the future because at the moment I am totally focussed on the challenge ahead.”

And do you know what? One only has to chat to Harry Owen for a short while to see how committed he is – and fully deserves his success. He is a modest, level-headed young man and we are going to cheer him on at every opportunity when he’s competing in Glasgow!