Finn Morgan makes his final appearance for the Great Britain under-19 American Football team when they take on Denmark in Vejle on Saturday, and he’s aiming to sign off with a victory.
The son of Barry RFC director of rugby Mike Morgan, Finn is part of the club’s growing senior squad, and had hoped to be involved on the Reservoir Field pitch, as well as playing American Football. Instead he finds himself temporarily, but voluntarily, banned from playing rugby, for a few more days at least.
“At the start of this season I wanted to play rugby as well,” said Finn, “but my Dad sat me down and said ‘it’s one or the other’.” So no rugby in the run up to the GB game. “But hopefully after Denmark I’ll be back playing at Barry.”
The match in Denmark, his last for the GB Academy squad, is part of a weekend of competitive action, with the senior teams meeting on Sunday. The under-19 match is a friendly, but Finn, who captains the offensive line, expects “a pretty competitive game. We have quite a strong team, much more developed than last year, so hopefully we can come away with a win.”
Finn, who will be 19 in January, has been playing American Football for four years and made his international debut against Spain as part of the GB under-17 squad. Next year he will be eligible for the GB Development squad.
But Finn’s priority at the moment is his education. After A levels, next year his sights are set on university, to study radiotherapy and oncology, at either Cardiff or Exeter. Both also offer the opportunity to continue playing American Football.
When he first started playing for GB Finn had hopes of a possible college sports scholarship in the USA. That ambition hasn’t vanished. “It will be harder for me now that I am 18, but there’s always a chance. Players I have played with have got scholarships to the US, so you never know.
“I would encourage anyone to play American Football, it’s such a phenomenal sport, and I’m loving every minute of it,” says Finn. “I’ve been playing four years, it’s given me the opportunity to get to other countries, and I’m enjoying the ride. But I couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents and coaches.”
Parents Julia and Mike will be at the match in Denmark, cheering Finn on. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Mike. “We’re really proud of him.”
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