WEST FIFE swim stars Tain Bruce and Craig McLean have been selected to swim for Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games.

WEST FIFE swim stars Tain Bruce and Craig McLean have been selected to swim for Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Carnegie Swimming Club duo are two of only six youngsters picked for September’s event in Samoa, which is designed to bridge the gap between young athletes competing in their own sport-specific competitions and the testing experience of a first Commonwealth Games.

Bruce (16, pictured) was voted as Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council’s sports personality of the year in February after a glittering 2014 that saw her win national age group titles in the 100 metres, 200 metres butterfly, 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley, where she erased Glasgow 2014 gold-medalist Hannah Miley’s national record.

The Dalgety Bay youngster, who will compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m and 400m individual medley events in Samoa, said, “It is an honour to be selected for Samoa 2015. It has always been a goal of mine to represent my country and I feel privileged to be able to make my debut in such a beautiful country.

“I love to travel and learn about new cultures so I can’t wait to experience Samoan life. I am always trying to gain experience in racing new people so these games are the perfect opportunity for my long-term development as an athlete.” Clubmate McLean (16), who was named as the recipient of the sports council’s Asda St Leonard’s trophy for sporting achievement by youngsters aged 16 and under, has set an incredible 48 Scottish and seven British records in the past three years, lifting numerous Scottish and British titles at Youth and Junior level.

He returned from last year’s British Youth Championships with two golds, a silver and a bronze in individual events, with both of his victories achieved in British age group records. He won a further three medals in the relay events with his Carnegie team-mates, including 4x100m medley gold in Scottish record time.

He has been selected in the 100m freestyle as well as the 100m and 200m Backstroke, each of which he holds national records in, and he said, “It is an honour to be selected for the games. I am looking forward to the international racing experience as part of the Scottish team and hope this is a stepping stone to future success at this level.” Alan Lynn, national coach for Scottish Swimming, said, “Congratulations to the swimmers on their selection. As a first multi-sport games experience, the Commonwealth Youth Games is a fantastic event to learn about the challenges of being part of something bigger than your sport.

“Several outstanding senior performers have used the Youth Games as a springboard to a successful career and I look forward to seeing this happen with this year’s group.

“Experiencing not only the competition, but the travel, the culture and the camaraderie of a Commonwealth event will serve them well and I wish them every success.” The Commonwealth Youth Games concept was developed by Scotland to introduce athletes under the age of 18 to an international multi-sport games, with the first event taking place in Edinburgh in 2000.

The fifth Commonwealth Youth Games will be held from 5th-11th September, and to date 66 Scottish athletes – including Miley and Robbie Renwick – have progressed from the youth to the senior Commonwealth Games, with 16 going on to win a total of 26 medals for Scotland.