Patrick MacHugh, currently studying BA Business, won't just be watching the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – he is one to watch: the Strathclyde Business School student has been selected for the Scotland Badminton Team.
To make sure he gives his all, Patrick has gone part time with his studies for this year and next so he has just completed the first part of his third year and found out in May it had been worth it as he'd made the team, along with fellow Strathclyder Caitlin Pringle who is studying Maths, Statistics and Accounts.
Patrick started playing badminton aged 10 'just for fun' but the badminton bug bit him and he got more and more serious about his playing, getting more involved in training and competitions as time went on.
"Prior to the selection our competition schedule increased a lot so meant that we were travelling at least 2 or 3 times a month to compete abroad in order to pick up the necessary ranking points. And then through this period sometimes had a couple of weeks off competition where we then trained very hard.
"I was extremely happy and relieved at the same time when I found out I’d been selected as it had been a very hard and long year of competing and training.
"Now that the selection has been made, coaches have outlined a training schedule we are following in the lead up to the Games where it is very intense to begin with and then nearer the time we start to taper down in order to peak for the Games. We also have international players, for example from Indonesia, coming over to train with us."
Obviously to be selected to train for your country means you have put the time and effort in beforehand. Patrick, who will be playing doubles with his doubles partner Martin Campbell, added, "The second semester of this year was I would say the most difficult time between balancing university work and training/competing as I was away so often and it left little time to study but thankfully I only had one exam which I managed to pass.
"I would say my expectations are - of course - to enjoy the whole experience and take everything in as I'm unlikely to have another home games and with regards to badminton specifically, then ideally coming away with a medal would be the dream…
"Competing in front of the home crowd is one of the main things I'm looking forward to and also just being part of Team Scotland with the 300 other athletes will be a fantastic experience."
So far, Patrick’s career highlight is representing Scotland at senior level for the first time back in February in Switzerland as he says, "Nothing is better than representing your country."
Everyone at Strathclyde Business School wishes Patrick and Caitlin all the best for the Commonwealth Games and let's hope Glasgow 2014 will be their new badminton career highlight!