Teenage swimmer Layla listed for national award

Teenage swimmer Layla Black has been shortlisted for an award which recognises youngsters’ sporting achievements.
Layla BlackLayla Black
Layla Black

The St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School pupil, who won two gold medals at the Youth Commonwealth Games in September, is among 10 athletes nominated for the One-to-Watch award presented by charity SportsAid.

Layla, 15, was chosen to swim for Team GB after breaking the British record in the 100m breaststroke earlier this year.

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As well as her two gold medals she also won silver in the 4x100m medley relay and a bronze in the 50m breaststroke.

Layla, who is a member of City of Leeds Swimming Club, said: “It feels amazing to be recognised for all my hard work over the past season. The support from SportsAid has helped towards the costs of my trip to Samoa to represent England at the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games - without this money I may not have been able to attend and bring home two gold medals, a silver and a bronze for my country.

“The support from SportsAid has also helped with training costs and travel to other competitions.”

“I have had several highlights this season. In addition to winning the medals I did in Samoa for England, I also won two bronze medals at the European Games in Baku for Great Britain.

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“It feels fantastic to stand on the podium to receive a medal knowing that you have worked as hard as you possibly could to get the rewards. I have also broken six British age group records this season. It’s a real honour to have been shortlisted for the One-to-Watch Award.”

The judging panel for the award includes former Olympic rower Sarah Winckless with representatives from Sport England, UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport, BBC Sport and SportsAid.

Previous winners of the award include diver Tom Daley and sprinter Jodie Williams.

This year’s presentation will take place at SportsAid’s annual SportsBall on Thursday, November 5 in London.

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