TWO North Ayrshire boxers have shared their excitement after being selected for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Ardrossan woman Brooke Neely and Kilbirnie's Aaron Cullen are among the 11 names selected to represent the Scotland as Glasgow hosts the major sporting event later this month.
The boxing competition takes place from July 24 until August 1 at the SEC Centre.
Irvine Vineburgh member Brooke will be fighting in the female 51kg division and says that the Games could be the "pinnacle of my career".
After seeing fellow Boxing Scotland alumni medal at the event, she said it was always her dream to be next in line.
She told the governing body: “It’s amazing, it sounds cliché but it’s a dream come true. Since I walked through the doors at Irvine Vineburgh at nine-years-old it’s been a dream, the Commonwealth Games.
“We saw Sean Lazzarini and Tyler Jolly going to it, they were my teammates, so - seeing them - I thought ‘that needs to be me’.
“I feel like it’s the pinnacle of a lot of people’s careers, it’s definitely one of mine, especially since it’s home games and you know you’re going to have all that support.
“We’re usually boxing so far away and no one can come and watch us, so boxing in Glasgow will be brilliant.”
Brooke says her goal is to come away as the first female Scottish boxer to earn a medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The 21-year-old added: “A gold medal would be absolutely surreal but to even be on the podium, that’s life-changing, that’s my goal definitely.
“Medalling would be amazing, that would be a dream come true.”
Irvine Elite boxer Aaron also heads into the games with high hopes as he gets set to compete in the 55kg male division.
The 22-year-old claimed silver in the European under-23 championships at the end of 2024 and is looking forward to fighting with a home support behind him on this occasion.
He said: “It’s brilliant, I’m over the moon. I can’t wait for this experience and to get the ball rolling.
“It’s phenomenal, all the people who will be coming out – it’s just in your back door basically.
“I think that’s the part that will push us on and make us achieve better than usual.”
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