DARTON swimmer Gabrielle Idle-Beavers is hoping to ‘do Barnsley proud’ and inspire up-and-coming athletes when she represents England in the Commonwealth Games this weekend.

The 18-year-old started swimming with local club Borough of Barnsley then moved to specialist sports college Mount Kelly College in Tavistock, Devon when she was in year nine.

Gabrielle – who has been signed to compete and study at the University of Kentucky – is expected to race for England in the individual breaststroke events plus the relay.

Her first events are set to kick-off in Glasgow on Saturday.

She is part of the England team that includes Olympians such as Adam Ramsay-Peaty.

Gabrielle told the Chronicle that she’s ‘really excited’ to compete in the Games and that her main aim is to swim to the best of her ability.

She said: “It’s such a proud moment to be representing England and it’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.

“It still doesn’t quite feel real, but I’m looking forward to getting out there, racing and just making the most of the whole experience.

“Obviously it would be amazing to come home with a medal, but my main focus is just swimming the best I can.

“If I can put together the races I know I’m capable of and enjoy the experience at the same time, I’ll be really happy.”

Gabrielle will be supported by her friends and family this weekend and is hoping to do Barnsley proud by giving it her all.

But she admits that she never expected to be competing at such a level this early into her career.

She said: “I’ve always hoped I could compete at this level one day but I never expected it to happen this early.

“It’s been a lot of hard work to get here, so I’m just really grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m really proud to be from Barnsley and hopefully I can do everyone back home proud.

“If seeing someone from the area competing on a stage like this inspires younger swimmers to believe they can do it too, then that’s a really nice feeling.

“I’ll have family and friends there supporting me, which is really special.

“Knowing they’re in the crowd cheering me on always gives me a bit of extra confidence and it’ll be nice to share such a big moment with them.”