A TALENTED Dunfermline Water Polo Club starlet has picked up a prestigious personal accolade ahead of competing at a European competition.

Zara Christie, who will move into sixth year at Dunfermline High School after the summer break, has been feted for her achievements in the pool by being named as the SASA (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) East District Junior Water Polo Player of the Year.

The 17-year-old has been recognised for her fine achievements in the pool, which include being selected for Great Britain's under-17 squad that will take part in the Under-17 European Championships, which begin at the end of this month.

Goalkeeper Zara, who recently made her first appearance for the senior Scottish ladies team, travelled to Barcelona for a training camp with her GB team-mates, with the final squad of 13 competing in Manisa, Türkiye, from July 26 to August 6.

Her selection comes after she represented GB's junior girls squad last year at an EU Nations Cup competition in Czechia, having been approached to trial after playing at an inter-regional competition south of the border.

Zara was presented with her prize by Richie Metcalfe, secretary of Dunfermline Water Polo Club and SASA East District water polo convenor, ahead of starring for her club in the Scottish National Championships Finals, helping the senior women, and under-19 girls, to victory in their respective matches.

Offering his congratulations, Richie noted: "Congratulations to Zara, and it's nice when other people in the club see it.

"She looked at the trophy and said 'I remember him, I remember her', and her name is now on it."

A former member of Carnegie Swimming Club, Zara, who also trains with Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club, was introduced to water polo whilst still at primary school, and has gone on to enjoy plenty of success within the sport.

Her first GB selection came in 2022, which also saw her captain the GB junior girls team as they finished fourth at the competition.

Zara, who is also set to trial for GB's older 2005 squad after the European Championships, reflected: "I was chuffed (to captain). It was a bit stressful because I had to sit an exam out there as well – I had all the girls, to make sure they were alright, then my exam, and then the competition, but it was brilliant, my first international cap.

"That's where you start. When I go to Turkey, I'll get another international cap, I'm just back from Ireland, where I got my first Scottish international cap playing with senior ladies Scotland.

I"t was a strange one because I was playing against all the GB girls, because they were all in the England squad, and I was in the Scottish squad, but, overall, it was a really good experience."