Sam Irwin, a 13-year-old from Helen's Bay in County Down, has been selected by Tennis Ireland for a week-long training camp in Prostejov, Czechia. The camp prepares players for the European clay court season.

Irwin holds the number one ranking in Ireland for under-14 boys tennis. He recently won a European title at a tournament in County Waterford over Easter. He also retained his under-14 national title for a third year at Templelogue Tennis Club in Dublin.

He joins Aryia Pringle-Quinn, Ireland's top under-14 girl player, at the camp. They train with the top 10 ranked boys and girls from across Europe on clay courts ahead of summer competitions.

Irwin trains daily with coach Paul Watt, the national programme, Jordan McKeown, Dylan Leeman, and Peter Bothwell. He received a Mary Peters Sponsorship award and a racquet sponsorship from Babolat.

His father Jonathan Irwin said Sam's talent emerged by chance when he tagged along with his older brother to tennis sessions in Belfast around age two. He noted Sam's dedication helps him compete at European level and stay at the top despite the pressure.