During the course of this year’s swimming season, 11-year-old Pioneer 79 Swimming Club member Niamh Robinson has achieved six National Age Group Qualifying Times.

National Qualifying Times at any age are extremely hard to achieve and few swimmers manage to qualify for multiple events.

The National Age Group Championships took place in Sheffield at Ponds Forge Swimming Pool.

The scale of the event became apparent immediately to Niamh, her coach John McGinty and parents upon arrival at the swimming complex, with many swimmers aged 11-14 from the whole of the country congregating in the foyer.

On the poolside a massive television screen was the focal point at one end of the 10-lane 50m pool, while at the other end was a huge scoreboard.

Two-time British Olympian Sarah Price was the host and commentator throughout the week.

With Niamh being the only competitor to represent the club this year, it would prove to be an extremely proud – but difficult – journey for her throughout the following five days of tough competition.

Niamh’s first event was the 200m individual medley, finishing in 16th place overall in a time of 2.46.69, slower than her entry time, but a good ice-breaker for the competition.

Her next event was the 200m backstroke, Niamh’s entry time of 2.38.91 proved to be just out of reach for her, finishing in 2.44.33, 22nd position overall.

On Friday, Niamh returned to the swimming pool in a much more relaxed and positive mood, having swam below her normal standard the previous day, and was ready for her favourite event, the 200m breaststroke.

In her heat Niamh finished in fifth position in a time of 3.00.26, qualifying eighth fastest overall for the final.

Returning after an afternoon break, she was raring to go. At the 100m mark, she turned in fifth place in a split time of 1.25.99.

She continued her fine form throughout the last 100m, but was pipped at the post into sixth place in a personal best of 2.57.81, just 0.8 seconds away from fourth place.

On Sunday, Niamh returned again to swim two events – her first event was the 100m backstroke where she swam to 12th place in a time of 1.15.31, just missing the final by 0.5 seconds.

Her second event of the day, the 100m breaststroke was a different story; she qualified comfortably in eighth position for the final, in a time of 1.25.10.

In the final, she maintained her position and finished in a time of 1.24.89, just 0.3 seconds slower than her personal best time.

Her final event of the competition took place on Monday with the 400m individual medley.

She finishing 23rd overall in a time of 5.52.66, slower than her entry time of 5.45.81.

Throughout the competition, swimmers accumulate points for each event they enter, known as ‘BAGCATS’.

Niamh finished in 21st position overall out of the 71 girls who competed in the 11 year age group, with 1,374 points.

Niamh admitted: "I was overawed by the scale of the event, but felt much more relaxed towards the end of the gala.

"I was very pleased with my breaststroke results but I do think I could have done much better earlier on in the competition if I had relaxed quicker.

"I will be trying hard throughout the 2011-2012 season in my training and my competitions to achieve more qualifying times which will allow me to compete in next year’s National Age Group Championships and maybe I could even bring back a medal."