Grantown Grammar Schoolgirl, Erinne Bird gave up competitive swimming to join the Army Cadet Force (ACF) two and a half years ago. Next month she will be swimming for Scotland ACF in their UK championships on Saturday 10th October.

The 14 year old who currently trains with Grantown Swim Club’s Fitness Squad on a Monday and Friday morning at the Craig Maclean Leisure Centre explains:

“On a two week camp in Dundee with the North Battalion we tried a range of activities. During the swimming competition I won all my races and took the trophy for the Inverness Company. I was then selected for the regional swimming competition last weekend (5th September) in Glasgow’s Tollcross pool where I came first in my backcrawl race. I have now been selected for the Scotland swimming team for the ACF UK annual championships. 

I now am trying to fit in some extra training sessions provided by the Swim Club, such as diving at the Inverness Aquadome. I want to get fitter and do my best for my Company. It’s great to be able to show my support for my Company through swimming. I really enjoy my friends at Cadets and all the range of activities on offer such as first aid training, field craft skills and shooting.”

Everyone involved with Grantown Swim Club is delighted for Erinne and wishes her the very best of luck representing Scotland.

Erinne is pictured with Colonel Passmore, Head of Sports in the Army Cadet Force Association.