Members of a Wiltshire rowing club are celebrating after one of their oarsmen won gold at this year’s European Championships.
Morgan Fice-Noyes, a rising star at the Bradford on Avon Rowing Club, began his rowing career three years ago after his eyesight degenerated.
Rowing in the three seat he won gold in the Para Rowing 3 Mixed Four category at the championships, held in Bled in Slovenia from May 25-28.
Morgan combined with Ed Fuller, Frankie Allen, Giedre Rakauskaite and inspirational coxswain Erin Kennedy to win the medal.
A Bradford on Avon Rowing Club spokesperson said: “We are delighted that one of our rowers won Gold at this weekend's European Championships.
“Morgan (in the 3 seat) began his rowing career at the club a few years ago and was coached by a couple of club members until transferring to the Great Britain squad last year.
“He was racing in the PR3 Mixed Four category, and 'live' footage of the race is available on iPlayer (race time 10:17 this morning).
“We are hopeful that Morgan will be racing at the Paris Olympics in 2024.”
In January 2022, Morgan was presented with a “Rising Star of the Year” regional award by British Rowing, covering the Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucester & Somerset (WAGS) region.
The Rising Star of the Year award is for young volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to their sport and the wider community.
His citation said: “Morgan’s chosen path of rugby was compromised by a degenerative and progressive sight condition leading to complete blindness.
“It was a (non-rowing) friend of our vice-captain who spotted Morgan and suggested rowing.
“Morgan first visited Bradford on Avon RC in September 2020 – green as grass and never having been near or in a rowing boat.
“A rowing machine session was followed by an outing in a double training scull. There was talent but work to be done. And lots of smiles.
“Coaching was adjusted to replace visual with spoken/audible prompts. Feet adjustments/gate-locking and associated activities became something we all learnt to do with our eyes shut.
“Hard work followed. On the water Morgan graduated to a fine double in the space of three sessions. Off the water Morgan’s erg times improved week on week smashing through 2km and 5km landmarks.
“Morgan’s talent and dedication was recognised and rewarded with a place on the British Rowing talent pathway. Massive support from British Rowing followed and Paralympic classification was confirmed.
“As September 2021 dawned, Morgan stepped into yet another challenge – he had been offered a place at Bath University to study Sports Performance at degree level. Now on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, he has a dual academic and rowing university career ahead.
“Morgan joined Bradford on Avon RC disillusioned with school, struggling academically and lacking confidence and direction.
“Fast-forward and we have a young man who now embraces and has a passion for learning, has confidence, a new skill, and a platform for his talent to shine as a role model on the water and off.
“As a member at Bradford on Avon RC, Morgan will always have our 100 per cent support; we’re hugely proud of him.”
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