THREE rising sports stars from Central Fife have been selected to represent Scotland at this summer's Commonwealth Youth Games.

Beath High School pupil Bethany McAndrew and boxing duo Craig Morgan and Ryan Reekie will travel to the Bahamas for the event from July 18-23.

Pitreavie Amateur Athletics Club's Scottish outdoor hurdles champion at over-16 level McAndrew, 17, is part of an 11-strong athletics team and will pull on a Scotland vest having won bronze in the under-20 age group in the 60 metre hurdles at the Scottish Age Group Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow earlier this year.

Also selected is Lochend Boxing Club member Morgan, who won the Boxing Scotland Elite and Youth Championships 1999-born male 60kg final in March.

The 17-year-old, who grew up on the same street as Kelty pro star Connor Law, was then picked to fight for Scotland at last month's GB Junior and Youth Three Nations event last month and, despite losing to Englishman Ben Marksby in the semi-finals, hoped he would still be considered for selection.

He will be joined in a talented boxing squad by Cowdenbeath's Ryan Reekie, 17, which also features Scotland's first female boxer at any Commonwealth Games event in Megan Gordon, as well as European Junior Championship medallists Sam Hickey and Lewis Johnstone.

The competition, which will take place in Nassau, will be the first international multi-sport Games for the athletes, who are aged between 15-18, and its concept was created by Scotland in 2000 with the aim of developing young athletes and giving them an early experience of an international multi-sport environment.

The event now has a proven track record of uncovering future champions at senior level, with 35 athletes selected for Glasgow 2014 having competed in Youth Games over recent years including medallists Charlie Flynn, Josh Taylor, Daniel Keatings, Hannah Miley and Lynsey Sharp.

Team Scotland 2017 will depart for the Bahamas on July 14 and general team manager Colin Gregor, who represented his country as captain in the rugby sevens at Glasgow 2014, said: "Congratulations to all 41 athletes on their selection for Team Scotland, and also to their families and coaches who have supported and guided their progress. This is a fantastic opportunity for these young athletes to experience what the Commonwealth Games is all about and the start of an exciting journey, which I hope will see many of these athletes going on to represent Team Scotland at senior level.

"I wish Team Scotland 2017 every success in the Bahamas and I look forward to cheering them on over the six days of competition."

Congratulating the athletes on their selection, Commonwealth Games Scotland chair, Paul Bush OBE, said: "I would like to welcome each and every one of these young athletes to Team Scotland and congratulate them on the hard work and dedication that lies behind their selection.

"The Commonwealth Youth Games is also an excellent development opportunity for staff with the relevant skills and experience to step up and take on first time roles or more senior positions in the multi-sport Games environment. I am delighted to see Colin Gregor and several others who have represented Team Scotland as athletes, now returning in management positions and sharing their in valuable experience.

"I wish the team all the very best for their final preparations and I look forward to seeing our athletes compete with pride for Team Scotland in the Bahamas."