Salford teenage swim prodigy nominated for international award

A Salford teenager has been nominated for an internationally recognised sporting award following her monumental swimming achievements.

Amelie Blocksidge, 14, is eligible to win one of the Women’s Sports Alliance’s ‘Special Recognition Awards’, being one of just two other international athletes in her category.

Nominees are selected by fans of the organisation before being shortlisted into three categories: ‘Underdog of the Month’, ‘Trailblazer of the Month’ and ‘Squad of the Month’, with Amelie’s nomination falling under the ‘Underdog’ title.

Amelie’s nomination comes straight off of the back of her record-breaking feat at the 2023 British Swimming Championships.

On her 14th birthday in early April, she broke the British record in the 1500m free swim by 22 seconds.

Amelie’s mother Nicola commented on her win, saying: “British Champion is the biggest domestic title you can win, it’s unheard of to win a British senior title at that age.”

Amelie added, according to the WSA: “I’m really happy and it’s the best birthday present really.”

Winners of each internationally recognised category will win a ‘Women’s Sporting Alliance’ trophy, and are decided via online votes.

The ‘City of Salford Swimming Club’ academy member has also been selected to represent ‘Team GB’ at the European Championships, as was reported by ‘British Swimming’ on 27th April.

She and 33 others were deemed the nation’s greatest chances of medalling at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade, which will take place from the 4th to the 9th of July.

On how she stays level-headed when attending prestigious competitions, Amelie said: “I’ll always get nervous, I can’t be relaxed about a race.

“I just want to do good, because every wants to do good don’t they?”

Voting for the ‘Women’s Sports Alliance’ ‘Special Recognition Awards’ closes on the 28th of April, with the winner being announced on the 30th.

The Salford community can vote for Amelie here