THE Commonwealth Games for us squash players is basically as close as we get to the Olympics and I can’t wait to get up to Glasgow.

Unfortunately, we don’t get to take part in mass participation events and we don’t compete as a team very often – so for that reason, I’m really excited about what is to come.

It is not just the playing, it is the whole Games environment. Being in the village, wearing the Team England kit, mixing with other athletes and sharing accommodation with team-mates, which could be interesting.

I would like to say it would also be great to see lots of other sports but if that was the case, it would mean I haven’t had a good Games. So perhaps I’ll have to settle for catching a bit here and there!

I’m rooming with Jenny (Duncalf) while Sarah (Kippax), Alison (Waters) and Emma (Beddoes) are all in together.

We all get along really well and Jenny is someone I have known for ages. We won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in the doubles in Delhi four years ago.

Normally, we are competing against each other so being together for so long should be a bit of fun.

I’m not too sure what the accommodation situation is yet, we’ll find out when we get up to Glasgow. I think we are staying in town houses and maybe sharing with the table tennis players as well.

But I’m loving the whole Team England thing. It’s the silly things I am looking forward – mixing in the giant dining room, seeing someone else in a Team England tracksuit and having a chat.

They call it the Friendly Games and it would be lovely to come away having made lots of new friends.

We fly up to Glasgow on Monday and while it will be a short flight it will be nice to travel as a team.

I suppose that is when it will hit home, a bit like when we had our kitting out day.

It’s funny, I travelled down to Burton-on-Trent to get the kit which is made by Kukri who are based in Walton Summit not far from where I live.

I had a good chat with the guys who made it. The kit is great, it looks good and fits properly and you really feel the part. In Delhi four years ago, it wasn’t that great, ill fitting, odd shapes – not the greatest look!

In Glasgow, we are in action more or less from the word go but I am not setting myself specific targets.

I would love to come away with two medals; one in the singles and one in the doubles with Jenny but I’m not saying what colour.

I’m not mentioning the ‘G’ word because I don’t want to put myself under any extra pressure.

So it will be a case of making sure I am sharp and rested and enjoy the Commonwealth Games experience!