A lack of competition for aspiring athletes over the last 15 months has been just one telling impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with restrictions now easing, one Rydal Penrhos pupil was able to get back to competitive action for the first time since March 2020 at a recent high-profile event.

Jonathan Osbourne, who is a Year 10 pupil at the school, was selected to represent the North Wales U17 track and field team at the Ellesmere Port Track Meet. This was a welcome return to normality for the squad, who performed exceptionally well in their first official engagement after the enforced break.

The pupil has worked incredibly hard over the last year, making the most of difficult circumstances for when competitions resumed. Jonathan is now getting back doing what he loves – competing against some of the best young athletes in the region and beyond.

Jonathan competed in the long jump and was also part of the 4×100 relay squad, which is another strong indicator of how highly he is regarded by the North Wales squad.

Despite being out of action for such a long period of time, Jonathan rose to the occasion in tremendous fashion, recording a personal best in the long jump at just under five metres.

He followed this up with a standout showing to open the relay event, taking the first leg and putting the North Wales regional team in a strong position on their way to a second-place finish.

This was a hugely encouraging return to a competitive environment for Jonathan, who is hoping for further progress in the coming months at various events providing restrictions allow.

Jonathan has been part of the Rydal Penrhos community for the entirety of his education. He has developed into a strong academic and a talented sportsman, gaining a host of notable achievements both regionally and at national competitions.

He was part of the Rydal Penrhos U14 hockey side that won the 2020 North Wales Schools’ Championship in convincing fashion, with Jonathan combining his athletic commitments with his GCSE studies ahead of his examinations next year.

We would like to congratulate Jonathan on a fantastic achievement and hopefully, this will be the start of a successful summer for the pupil after so much disruption over the last year.