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Making your international sporting debut is always a big deal, but when you are just 14-years-old it comes with a new level of pressure. Ursula Carroll will hold an important title at Glasgow 2026 for Team England as the youngest athlete on the team.

The para swimmer from Stockport admitted herself that it was a shock to receive a call up to the big stage this summer, despite setting a new European record in the S13 200IM at the 2026 Swim England Winter Nationals.

But with the opportunity to now learn from the best in the world, it is one she is relishing.

"It was a bit of a surprise for me because the events that I can swim are 50 free and 100 freestyle which are not my main events and it's definitely not my main stroke either.

But it was also an amazing surprise and to be able to share this experience with everyone on the team has just been amazing.

"It's a bigger stage, there's going to be a lot more people and a lot more crowds and stuff. I can’t wait to learn from everyone on the team."

While Carroll stands on the blocks for Team England this summer, her older sister and her inspiration to start the sport, Astrid, will suit up for Team Scotland, meaning that there is a battle of the nations in the Carroll family. But while they may be on different squads, the Carroll admitted that she will still be cheering Astrid on all the way in Glasgow.

"I've been swimming since I was a little baby and I got into it because of my sister," she said. "She's 17 now but she swims for Scotland.

"I was in Abu Dhabi and I broke my leg and I was watching everyone else in the water and when I got back I watched her in a swimming gala and decided that I wanted to do it as well. I have not stopped since.

"It will be interesting to see who cheers Scotland on and who cheers in England in the family."

Carroll will be 59 years younger than the eldest athlete to step out for Team England, bolstered by around £95 million of National Lottery funding given to swimming and para swimming since 2000.

Para bowler Ron Homer will hold the title on the other end of the line, with the 73-year-old set for his own Commonwealth Games debut alongside director Sue Davies. For Carroll, the age difference between the two visually impaired athletes showcases exactly what the Commonwealth Games is all about, bringing together a raft of different abilities and people on the biggest stage possible.

"Just to think that someone is still in their sport and at their prime in their sport at 73 is crazy," said Carroll. "When I get to 73 I don't think I will be swimming at the Commonwealth Games so it is amazing to see."

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33million is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you, sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.