DARWEN’S swim prospect Niamh Robinson is enjoying another golden summer.

This year, the 15-year-old has achieved personal best times in several events and next month turns her sights to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

Niamh, the daughter of former Isle of Man Commonwealth Games team swimmer Suzanne Brown, said: “This year has gone well and I’m really looking forward to my next challenge in Samoa.

“I’ll be competing in seven events and in the relays too. It will be a busy championship, but a terrific challenge and another great opportunity to gain invaluable international experience.”

And as part of the elite England Talent squad, Niamh was selected to compete in Lignano, Italy, where she lifted a silver medal in the 50 metres breaststroke and bronze medals in the 100 metres breastroke and 200 metres individual medley.

“I was really please with that, and I was up against some strong swimmers from Ukraine, Russia and Germany,” added Niamh who hopes to continue her progress by competing at county, regional and national events in the next 12 months.

“The standard was very high and to win three medals was very satisfying.”

Niamh also reached seven finals at the recent British Championships at Ponds Forge Pool, Sheffield, where she was competing against older competitors.

Meanwhile, Niamh, and several of East Lancashire’s most talented young athletes Bethany Widdup, Brenna McPartlan, Declan Huppach and Leah Hillman have been awarded a cash boost to help them achieve their sporting goals.

“It is a terrific lift for Niamh to get the backing from Lancashire’s Rising Star Fund because it will make a big difference with her preparation,” said Niamh’s mother.

“We are very grateful to Niamh’s sponsors, but the Lancashire Rising Stars award also means there’s a lot of behind the scenes help with physiotherapy and nutrition advice and that’s invaluable for any athlete.”

Alpine skier Bethany Widdup, from Colne, was chosen to represent Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in Norway in her preferred discipline of slalom and has achieved second places in the English Championships and the British Championships.

The 20-year-old is doing summer dry land training and is hoping to qualify again for the World Championships.

At 15, McPartlan, from Blackburn, was starring for Blackburn Rovers’ under 17s football squad.

Now she is on standby for England’s training camp in addition to being the only netball player in Lancashire to be selected as part of the England screening programme.

Brenna is looking to step up in both her football and netball careers by being selected for the England under 17 football squad and the under 19 performance academy for netball.

Huppach, from Barnoldswick, has competed at several skiing events this year, including the European Artificial Championships, the British Indoor Championships and the English Alpine.

Tipped for honours, next winter the teenage prospect will be competing in the under 18/21s category, where he will be required to ski under International Ski Federation rules in his disciplines of slalom and giant slalom.

Barrowford javelin thrower Hillman claimed two medals at the England Schools Athletics Championship.

The 16-year-old is ranked third in the UK and second in England for the under 17 ladies javelin throw.

If she is successful at the English Schools Championships, she hopes to be selected to represent England in the Home Countries Championships Lucy Naylor, from Clitheroe, is another rising star, and in her first season of cycle racing competitions she finished second overall in the North West Cyclo-Cross League (Under 14) with several first team places in individual competitions.

She was chosen to attend the last three regional school of racing training days by a panel of British cycling and North-West coaches.

She is also working towards gaining a place on the Olympic Development Academy.

The Lancashire Rising Star Fund, in association with Lancashire Sport Partnership and the University of Central Lancashire, award grants up to £500 to individuals to support the cost of travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment.

In addition to the money, each athlete will receive a package that includes strengthening and conditioning services, nutritional advice and the use of Lancashire University’s sports and training facilities.

Adrian Leather, chief executive at Lancashire Sport Partnership, said: “Families can spend over £5,000 a year on supporting young athletes progress in their chosen sport.

“We want to help to support aspiring athletes to achieve their potential and realise their dreams of competing at the highest level.”

If you would like to support Lancashire’s future sporting stars and sponsor the Lancashire Rising Star Fund please contact Lancashire Sport Partnership on 01772 299830 or e-mail contact@lancashiresport.org.uk