NORTH Down sprinter Jamie Moffatt has spoken of his “immense sense of pride” after being selected to represent Northern Ireland in the 100 metres at this summer’s Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Bangor Grammar School teen (17) is part of a panel of five young athletes chosen by Athletics NI that will travel to the ‘Trinbago’ nicknamed Games, which are being held in Trinidad and Tobago in early August.

Joining Jamie in the Caribbean are East Down AC’s Anna Gardiner, Lucy Foster of Willowfield Harriers, Toby Thompson (Ballymena & Antrim AC) and Frank Buchanan (St Michael’s College AC).

“I feel honoured and have an immense sense of pride at being selected. It means so much to me, particularly as I’ve only been competing for two years and this will be my first international event,” he revealed.

“I am fully committed to the preparation involved over the next month or so, so that I arrive in Trinidad in peak condition, both mentally and physically.

“It has been a real team effort to get to this point, with invaluable support and encouragement from my coaches, Roger Sexton and the team at Fortius Gym, as well as the physios looking after me.

“In the build up to the Games, I plan to compete down in Ireland against the very best,” continued Jamie, whose rise is all the more incredible considering he suffered a Pars fracture in his spine when he was 13.

“My personal best in the 100m is currently 10.88 seconds, but hopefully I can set a new one over the coming weeks. I also believe my training partners have played a big part in my recent success.

“I realise that I have been given a fantastic opportunity and look forward to getting into those starting blocks and watching all the other Northern Irish athletes compete.”