Girl, 13, joins aquatic team for Commonwealth Games

Among those chosen to represent their countries at the games which take place in Delhi from October 4 to 13 are five divers and one swimmer from Leeds.

The women's squad from the City of Leeds Diving Club are sending a record number of divers to the games, including the youngest athlete in any sport to be representing England in 13-year-old Alicia Blagg.

The rising star from Woodlesford, who has just returned from America where she finished fourth in the Junior World Championships, will be hoping to become one of England's youngest-ever medallists.

Clubmate Rebecca Gallantree has shown good form this year competing regularly at world level, while Sarah Barrow will be looking to continue her comeback after a year out with a major back injury by performing well.

Leeds also has two members of the Scotland diving squad for the Games, as identical twins Helen and Carol Galashan will be competing individually and also teaming up in the 10-metre synchronised category.

For the first time since the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, Leeds also has a swimmer qualified to compete at a major event. Anne Bochemann, who moved to Leeds last year so she could continue to be trained by long-term coach Dave Calleja, has qualified to represent England in the 200m individual medley.

All six are trained through Leeds City Council's training schemes based at the Aquatics Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport. For more details on training schemes call 0113 395 7358.