A FORMER badminton internationalist is heading to the Commonwealth Games to help Scotland’s athletes of tomorrow.

Megan Richardson, a former head girl at Knox Academy, represented her country on the badminton court but will be helping some of Scotland’s next wave of squash and wrestling stars.

The 27-year-old is one of 12 mentors making the journey to Birmingham this summer as part of the Achieve Programme with Team Scotland.

The scheme enables young athletes and coaches from a range of sports to gain knowledge and experience of a multi-sport environment.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“I feel really proud to be going to represent Team Scotland but also just to have my experience recognised and put into the position where I can help a youth athlete build their confidence and be a part of their journey as well.

“I’m going to be there for my birthday as well!

“I am so excited and it is going to be the experience of a lifetime.

“It is essentially a home Games and there will be more of a buzz around it.”

Each of the dozen mentors will work with four young athletes, who it is hoped will go on to represent Scotland in future events.

The mentors then work alongside athletes away from the sport they previously participated in.

Megan said: “The reason behind not being paired with a sport you used to do is we have got a non-biased opinion.

“It is more around the mentoring side of things and working on their own personal development and focusing on evolving them as a person.”

The Commonwealth Games, which were last held on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018, get under way on July 22.

Megan, who grew up just outside Haddington, will be at the event from August 3 to 8.

She went on to study podiatry at Musselburgh’s Queen Margaret University and will spend time with the stars of tomorrow in accommodation.

The budding athletes will then experience what it is like being in a multi-sport environment, see the athletes’ village and training facilities, as well as potentially get the chance to meet some of those competing in the event.

Megan has now stepped away from the badminton court and works as sport and active health co-ordinator at Scottish Student Sport, as well as a personal trainer, and teaches spin classes at the University of Edinburgh and the Aubigny Sports Centre in her home town.

She added: “I now channel my energy into helping others to help themselves.

“It is nice to have that experience in both sport for performance and for participation.”