PLAYING on Wimbledon’s hallowed lawns is a dream that is about to finally come true for one of our island’s most popular sports stars.

The eyes of the world will be on 16-year-old Heather Watson when she flys the flag for Guernsey in the junior section of the famous tournament next week.

Of course we will all be cheering Heather on.

But whatever the outcome, the Channel Islands should be rightly proud of this hugely talented teenager.

Heather, a natural with a tennis racquet ever since she was a toddler, has fought and worked hard for years to reach the top in this highly competitive field.

Focus, vision and sheer determination has helped the Guernsey girl realise her ambition to walk out at SW19 and play in front of a home crowd.

Her achievement is also one that the Channel Islands’ sporting community will take great pride in.

With no significant government funding, Heather has got where she is through the tireless support of her parents, Michelle and Ian, first rate local and international coaching and the precious backing of regular and reliable sponsorship.

Her news is one of several heartening success stories to have come out from these shores in recent years.

They show the true extent of our island’s sporting culture and the hunger of our sportsmen and women to mix it on the international stage.

None have had it easy yet all have battled hard and displayed that grit that seems to be a part of our unique identity.

Not only can we boast arguably one of the best motor racing drivers in the world in Andy Priaulx MBE, we have one of the best bowlers in Alison Merrien.

British team member Dale Garland is also displaying the potential to become the island’s first athletics Olympian.

All showing the world what we already know: that Guernsey is a winner.