A YOUNG Inverclyde swimmer has gone global after competing with the Scotland national team in Switzerland.

Abi McAnerney dived head-first into the international pool as part of the Scottish Swimming squad at the 58th Geneva International Challenge Meet in Switzerland.

The 15-year-old swimmer has been training with Inverclyde Amateur Swim Club (IASC) since 2018, with coach Shirley Redford guiding her right through to national level.

Abi McAnerney and her coach Shirley Redford at the British Championships in 2024, where the 15-year-old swimmer won gold.(Image: Contributed) At the three day meet in Switzerland, Abi took part in five events: the 50m and 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, and 50m and 100m backstroke - recording a personal best in her favourite race, the 50m fly final, with a time of 27.78, earning her seventh place overall.

Shirley said it was an "exceptional" result for Abi, who was competing in her first international competition, at such a young age.

She said: "Geneva was an amazing experience for us both.

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"Scottish Swimming took their National Junior Team to compete in an international meet competing for Scotland.

"Many other international teams were there, including Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Wales.

"The Swiss 200 back stroke Olympic bronze medalist from Paris, Roman Mityukov, was at the meet which was great for all to witness."

SPLASHTASTIC: Abi scored a personal best time at the 50m fly event at the 58th Geneva International Challenge Meet. (Image: contributed) Abi also made the B final event for the 100m fly, which Shirley says was "a great learning experience" for the teen athlete.

She added: "The whole three-day competition experience will prepare Abi for her future in swimming, as it exposed her to the rigours of international travel as well as strong foreign opposition in a new environment.

"She rose very well to the occasion, and will develop and improve as a result of it.

"I was privileged to be staff on the national junior team this year, which has been a great learning and development opportunity for me."

At the annual presentation night for the IASC last month, Abi was awarded a trophy for her achievement in becoming the club's first British age group champion after her success in the 50m butterfly at the national competition in July 2024.

Shirley said: "The experiences gained and mentoring from our best coaches in Scotland has been inspiring and I would like to thank the committee of IASC for supporting me in this.

"Inverclyde ASC is a great swimming club where we hope that all kids can reach their potential, as well as having fun and some great new experiences and friends."

Anyone interested in joining the Inverclyde Armature Swim Club they can contact membership secretary Elaine Cannon at membershipsec.inverclydeasc@gmail.com to request a trial.