SOUTHAMPTON Diving Academy graduate Gemma McArthur says it “feels amazing” to have been selected for Scotland’s final aquatic squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

McArthur, James Heatly, Grace Reid and Lucas Thomson will make up the diving troupe as Scotland make the final additions to their squad of 29 that will head out to Australia’s Gold Coast, writes Frankie Rudland.

Speaking to the Scottish Swimming Association, McArthur, who trains at The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex in Southampton, said: “It really just feels amazing to have it confirmed.

“It’ll be a fantastic experience out there.

“I’m just looking to dive to the best of my ability.

“It’s been a tough year of training.

“I’ve been working hard and putting in a lot more hours to try and get everything I can out of my performances.”

McArthur, who qualifies to represent Scotland through her father, had no lack of success in 2017.

She won gold at the British National Championships in March, posting a whopping score of 310.80 points, which subsequently met the qualification requirement for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The 19-year-old grabbed herself another gold medal, along with fellow Scottish squad member Lucas Thomson, as their mixed 10m dive notched a respectable 269.46 points at the Australian Diving Grand Prix which ran in November last year at the exact same venue that the Scot will compete in come April .

The medals have continued to flow in 2018 for the Hampshire-based athlete.

She bagged bronze for her efforts in the 10m platform individual event held in Plymouth last month before flying out to Eindhoven to claim a further two gold medals at the Senet Cup at the start of the month, proving that age is no barrier for this young athlete.

After narrowly missing out on the Games in 2014 there’s no doubt that Commonwealth first-timer McArthur will be looking to make a splash at this year’s event which runs from April 4-15.