A HELENSBURGH table tennis star says her selection for this summer’s Commonwealth Games ranks right at the top of her career achievements.
Lucy Elliott, 24, is one of four Scots headed to Birmingham next month for the table tennis competition.
Having joined Drumchapel Table Tennis Club at the age of eight, Lucy has been playing for 16 years.
In that time, the former Hermitage Academy pupil has travelled across Europe and to India with her club and the Scottish team.
She also represents the Drumchapel club in the Scottish Women’s League’s premier division.
Lucy said: “I was shocked when I found out but it was amazing – I really didn’t expect it.
“There’s a qualification routine, but we didn’t qualify as a team.
Former Hermitage Academy pupil Lucy Elliot has been named alongside Rebecca Plaistow, Colin Dalgleish and Gavin Rumgay in Team Scotland’s table tennis squad for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham Table Tennis Lucy Elliot
“It was a case of the governing body fighting to get us in for singles and doubles.
“We’ve managed to get two females and two males into the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.
“I’m just going to go and make the most of the experience.
“If I play as well as I can play, that’s a bonus.”
Lucy, who works for the civil service, will be joined by Rebecca Plaistow, Colin Dalgleish, and 16-time Scottish champion Gavin Rumgay.
Both Lucy and Rebecca will be making their Commonwealth debuts, with Colin attending his second Games and Gavin representing Scotland for a fifth time.
11th April 2022… Team Scotland Commonwealth Game 2022 preview. Table Tennis Lucy Elliot
The group will be led by coach Gordon Muir, who will cover team manager duties in Birmingham.
“The women’s team didn’t qualify in 2018,” Lucy added, “so to get a couple of us into the singles and doubles in Birmingham, that’s just amazing.
“In 2014, I was part of the Achieve programme, so I got a wee bit of an insight then, but it’s not quite the same as doing it for real.
“Now it’s just heads down and train hard so we can go in feeling our best and doing the best we can.
“It’s going to be a great experience for sure.”
All table tennis events will be held at the NEC Arena from July 29 to August 8, with two sessions taking place per day.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here