A TAVISTOCK College rower has been selected for a talent programme which could see him competing in the 2016 Olympics.

Sam Twine, 16, beat hundreds of other hopefuls to secure a place on the talent scheme for Team GB, with the focus on the Olympics in 2016.

Sam said: 'After being accepted onto the programme I was assigned a coach and he sends me a training programme and arranges for me to go to events.

'Once a month there's a big meeting in Nottingham for all 30 to 40 people on the talent scheme and we have a series of assessments to monitor our progress. There are five groups from A to E and depending how well you do you move up or down. Once you're in the A group you start getting picked for events.'

As a new entrant Sam starts in group E, but he hopes to move up in November.

To help him meet his goal he is following a packed training programme including being out on the water three or four times a week, one or two weights sessions and three or four on a rowing machine — all in addition to his school work.

'I'm doing A levels which require focus so when I've got free time I get straight down to homework,' said Sam.

'All the training is actually helping my academic work because the amount of exercise I'm doing is making me feel awake and happy as well.

'I would love to be able to get to the 2016 Olympics but it's a long way off and I've got a lot to work on.

'I want to move up through the groups and be in group B by this time next year.'

Sam was congratulated by Pete Keegan, assistant director of sixth form.

'When I heard he cycles to Plymouth before a full training session I was even more amazed,' he continued.

'Sam's ability to successfully combine all the aspects of his life is outstanding. I wish him every success.'

Ian Barnes, director of sixth form, said the college was seeing an increasing number of students being prepared for the Olympics, and while the training was very time-consuming the old adage about playing hard and working hard seemed very apt.

'We are very pleased to continue to support talent in all possible ways and are delighted with the success of Sam,' he added.