DUNFERMLINE Water Polo Club player Niamh Moloney says that starring in European competition for Great Britain was an unforgettable experience.

The 16-year-old travelled to Greece earlier this month as part of a 14-strong squad that competed at the LEN (European Swimming League) Women's European Junior Water Polo Championships.

Niamh, who last year was a first reserve for the under-19 squad, and was named Scottish Swimming's Junior Water Polo Player of the Year, helped her team to a 12th-place finish overall, helping herself to five goals throughout the tournament.

She had the honour of scoring GB's first goal in a 12-3 defeat to Germany, and although they only came out on top in one match – a comprehensive 15-4 win against Bulgaria, in which she netted three – Niamh hopes it won't be the last time she features on such a prestigious stage.

"It was a really good experience and one that I won't forget," she told Press Sport.

"We played six games and, although we only won one, it was convincing, 15-4, against Bulgaria, which was a good result. Even in other games we lost, I felt we played well as a team.

"We had games with Hungary, Serbia, Germany twice and the Netherlands, where water polo is bigger than what it is here.

"The skill level with the other teams is a step above, and it's good to learn.

"I hope I can have more experiences like that in the future."

Niamh, who was also set to trial for GB's 2001 squad last weekend, continued: "I think scoring my first-ever GB goal has got to be my biggest achievement so far, and I won't forget that one either!

"I scored a few but I won't forget the first goal, hearing the crowd cheering.

"This experience has definitely made me feel more confident to trial for other GB competitions now.

"I am actually going to trial for the GB 2001 squad, so hopefully that goes well and my confidence I have built in my experiences this year will help me towards reaching the 2001 squad."