Robert Gordon University (RGU) Sport Scholar Colin Dalgleish will make his debut Commonwealth Games appearance in April 2018, where he will represent Scotland at table tennis on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Colin has won a number of awards for his sporting talent, including first place at the men’s singles of the Scottish U21 Championship in 2015, first in the men’s doubles of the Scottish Championship in 2016 and third place at the men’s singles of the Home Countries International in 2017.
“I’m very proud to be selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games,” Colin said.
“I don’t just feel like I’m representing Scotland, though. I’m representing RGU and North Ayrshire Table Tennis club as well. I can’t wait to get over there and start competing.
“In preparation for the Commonwealth games, I’m trying to train five times a week in RGU Sport. I also do strength and conditioning sessions each week with my coach, John, as well as two cardio sessions a week. At the start of March, I’ll be heading off to Dusseldorf for an intense training camp for two weeks in preparation for the games.”
Before his first year of university studies, Colin successfully applied for RGU’s Sport Scholarship programme and has been awarded the scholarship for each year of his studies. The Sport Scholarship is applicable to RGU students who have the potential to compete at a national level.
Colin added: “I’m in my fourth year at RGU. I’m studying Accounting and Finance. I chose the university because of the industry experience you get during the third year placement. The Sports Scholarship helps me balance my academic studies and my sporting commitments.
“The scholarship also provides me with a great deal of support through physiotherapy, financial support and letting me go to international competitions as well as strength and conditioning sessions and free access to the facilities at RGU Sport.”
Colin joins Team Scotland’s table tennis selection of Gavin Rumgay from Perth and Craig Howieson from Edinburgh for the singles and team events. It will be Gavin’s fourth time representing Scotland at the games and Craig’s third.
RGU’s head of sport, Hannah Leslie, commented: “We are so proud to see Colin's hard work and dedication pay off. Throughout his studies he has worked extremely hard to reach his sporting goals, whilst also balancing his studies. We’ll be working with him further over the next few months to ensure he has all the support the needs.
“It will be great to see Colin flying the flag for RGU athletes - we wish him the best of luck."
The men’s table tennis team finished fifth place at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place between April 4 and 15, attracting more than 6,600 athletes from 700 Commonwealth nations and territories.