A BOLTON schoolgirl will be pooling resources in a bid for Commonwealth glory.

Canon Slade pupil Niamh Robinson has been selected along with six other athletes to compete for Team IOM at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa this September.

Niamh, who competed in Glasgow last year at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, her impressive performances had caught the eye of other international selectors.

Mum Sue Brown said: "She also received an email informing her that she had been ‘long-listed’ for the England Team in May.

"She had to explain that due to her having competed in Glasgow for the IOM, she would not in fact be eligible to compete for England at this competition.

"It was then a nail biting wait, before finding out that she had been successful in achieving selection for the IOM an event so far away from home.

"Over the qualification period, Niamh’s CV to the IOM Commonwealth Games Association listed the number of times she had achieved consideration times set by the IOM.

"This list totalled no fewer than 12 events where she had achieved the stated times and over 120 individual swims over all.

" This, along with her success over the last 12 months, will have definitely provided a huge boost with her application along with her also holding 20 Isle of Man Swimming Records." Niamh has selected to compete in 7 events over the duration of the week, 50/100/200m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50/100m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley.

Sue added: "Niamh is extremely excited to be competing in this event, and is looking forward to competing for Team IOM once again at such a large event."

The event itself will take place in Apia, Samoa from 5th-11th September 2015. Events taking place will be Aquatics (Swimming), Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Tennis and Weightlifting. It is anticipated that up to 1000 competitors aged between 14-18 will be competing for 107 medals over the 5 days and competitors are invited from every Commonwealth Games Association. This will be the 5th Commonwealth Youth Games, with the last one taking place in the Isle of Man in 2011 and the next taking place in St Lucia in 2017. Like the Commonwealth Games, all athletes will stay in an athletes’ village-style accommodation and will give many competitors their first taste of an international multi-sports Games.

Niamh’s success to date would not be achieved without her continuous hard work and commitment in the pool, however she would also like to thank personally: Mike Wilson, Head Coach of Pioneer 79 Swimming Club, IOM Swimming Club, IOMCGA, TP Properties and Grace Cole Ltd for their continued support and assistance.