A student at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, has beaten off competition from some of the country's finest tennis players to secure a place in the Master U BNP Paribas event in France this week.
Claire Birnie (20) from Ellon, has been selected to represent the UK in the international event which will take place in Poitiers, France from 9 – 14 December.
The final year Biomedical Science student, who is also a RGU: SPORT scholar, will be p
laying against some of the world's top players, as the tournament has historically attracted teams from Russia and the USA, as well as from across Europe.
She will be taking part in both singles and doubles matches in the tournament, which is one of a series taking place over the next year aimed at selecting a team to play in the World University Games in China in 2011.
Claire said: "When I received the phone call about this selection, I was absolutely thrilled. I'm very excited about the chance I have been given, and I hope that I perform well and that it leads to more great opportunities for me."
Claire is hoping to continue her winning streak at the tournament. Earlier this year she was part of the Senior Scotland Team in the Home Nations Championship. They went on to win their age group and contributed to Scotland winning the overall event.
The Poitiers tournament could prove to be another step forward in Claire's ambition to be selected for the 2010 Scotland Commonwealth Games Team.
This is the fourth consecutive year Claire has been sponsored by the University's Sports Scholarship Programme.
She benefits from a package of tailor-made programmes devised to support her needs, sports discipline and academic course requirements.
Claire added: "The strength and conditioning programme the Scholarship has provided me with has been really beneficial in helping me play to the best of my ability. In fact, if it wasn't for the programme I would not be able to pursue both my academic and sporting goals."
