Silsden teenager Connor Bailey has been selected to represent England in the Pan Celtic Cup canoe slalom event.

The 15-year-old Bradford Grammar School pupil will be up against Irish, Scottish and Welsh competitors in the international team competition at the Scottish Canoe Association venue of Grandtully on April 19-20.

Connor, who is in the under-16 team K1 (kayak) and is first reserve for both the C1 men’s team (canoe) and C2 men’s team (double Canadian) at the River Tay venue, is part of the England National Talent slalom squad and attends 12 training sessions each week.

These include fitness training at Keighley Leisure Centre, with fitness coach Damian Bisby, and Bradford Grammar School’s gym, plus sessions with nutritional coach Carole Hill at the Healthy Lifestyle Studio Skipton.

Connor, who also undertakes paddle sessions as his local club Bradford & Bingley and Nottingham Whitewater Centre, said: “I am really fortunate to have the guidance, support and inspiration of GB Canoeing, my school and teachers, fitness trainer, nutritional coaches and, especially, my family.

“I am looking forward to an exciting season of racing in the UK and Europe.”

His selection was based on his fantastic results last year.

The second event in the series is at Holme Pierrepont, near Nottingham, on May 10-11, with the date for the Welsh leg at Tryweryn - the National White Water Centre in Snowdonia - yet to be announced.