Nobody has a bigger smile in Glasgow this week than the youngest athlete in Team Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

Swimmer Emily Hughes, 16, is soaking in every second of her senior international debut.

She has already swam in a Commonwealth final as she helped the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team to sixth place and finished 17th in her first individual event, the 200m freestyle.

“I'm pretty happy with that in the morning, to be just outside of my personal best. I'm pretty happy with that and honestly, I'm just kind of happy to be racing here. Like I've said so many times, it's just such a great experience,” explained Hughes.

Emily’s mum, Amy, is from Larne although the family live in England and Emily attends Millfield College in Somerset.

The Commonwealth Games are a welcome distraction as she awaits her GCSE results next month.

“I think they went OK, but you don't know until I get them. That was definitely interesting, balancing swimming with GCSEs. I mean, I was quite lucky where I am at school at Millfield, because it's boarding. I was able to balance them quite well, which was really good.”

Emily is also upholding the proud sporting traditions in her family.

Her grandfather Treen "Curly” Morris, a former pupil of Larne Grammar School, began sailing at the age of 13.

As a top athlete he represented Ireland in no fewer than 23 World, European and other major international championships including the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

Emily’s mum Amy and aunt Melanie also represented Ireland and Northern Ireland in sailing.

Right now, Emily is living her dream, one that not so long ago she would have struggled to believe would happen.

“Oh my gosh. I think at the start of the season, like this time last year, if you told me I'd be here I honestly wouldn't believe you," she said.

Emily will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle later in the Games.