Thirteen-year-old Emily Noden from Holywell, a student at The Queen’s School in Chester, has won the Swim Wales Recognition Award in the Junior Swimmer (Elite Athlete Disability) Category.

The winner of this award was selected by public vote on the Swim Wales web site. Emily was delighted to be selected as the winner of the award at a major awards ceremony in Swansea in November.

Emily’s next aim is to win a place on the Great Britain Deaf Swimming Team that will compete in the Deaf Swimming World Championships in Portugal in August 2011.

Sarah Clark, Headmistress of The Queen’s School, commented: "We are immensely proud of Emily and her sporting achievements. She has grit and determination and a tremendous desire to succeed. As an elite athlete, Emily trains for many hours a week to achieve her ambitions and balancing her school work and training can be a challenge in itself! The whole school community is joining with me to celebrate the news of her award."