THE Commonwealth Games may still be six weeks away but talented young swimmer Reuben Quayle is already looking further in to the future.

The 10-year-old from Darwen has a dream of representing his country at a major championship and he underlined his potential in the pool by winning four titles at the recent Lancashire Championships in Manchester.

The St Paul’s Primary School pupil is taking inspiration from Rawtenstall’s Tom Hamer who made his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow four years ago at the age of just 15 and will represent England on the Gold Coast, Australia in April.

Whether Birmingham 2022 is too soon for Reuben remains to be seen but mum Rustine insists swimming at the highest level is the aim for her son.

“Competing in the Commonwealth Games is a dream for Reuben,” she said. “It is definitely a target for him and something he would love to do.

“Obviously we all know a lot of things can happen in the coming years but that is something to work towards.

“He was speaking about Tom this week about what he achieved and how young he was when he went to the Commonwealth Games. Reuben would love to do what he has done.”

Reuben is definitely showing signs that he could follow in Hamer’s footsteps.

Despite being one of the youngest in his age group, Reuben stormed to victory in the county finals that were held over two weekends at the Aquatics Centre in Manchester.

He won four gold medals, all impressively in personal best times, and narrowly missed out on a fifth when he was edged out in the 400m freestyle.

However, he cleaned up in his favoured backstroke winning gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m events.

He touched home first in the 50m in 35.35secs, clocked 1min 15.89secs in the 100m and then swam his quickest time of 2mins 43.10secs in the 200m.

And for good measure, he also set a PB of 2mins 56.37secs on his way to winning the 200m individual medley.

The former Blackburn Centurion, who now swims for Bolton Metros, narrowly missed out on gold in the 400IM, swimming 5mins 19.94secs to win silver.

“Despite winning four title, he was gutted to just miss out on a fifth,” added Rustine. “But Reuben likes to win and sometimes he gets upset if he doesn’t. He is very dedicated, very committed and swims every race to win it.

“But we are so proud of him, he is amazing. He trains so hard and gives it his all every time.”

He will now compete in the Regional Championships, also in Manchester, in May and has been invited to compete in a big event in Sheffield later in the year.

“He’ll be up against older swimmers in those events so he is going just for the experience,” added his mum.

Reuben’s twin sister Rae also took part in the Lancashire Championships, setting a new PB in the backstroke while both play rugby for Bolton Rugby Club - something that Rustine and dad Stewart both encourage.

“The rugby is important for the two of them, it gets them out of the pool and gives them the chance to play another sport which they are both very good at,” said Rustine.

“As parents, we make sure we don’t push Reuben or pressurise him. He loves to swim, as does Rae, and that is the most important thing.

“We know a lot of things can happen in the next couple of years, he may even decide it is not for him. But we will support and encourage him all the same.”