Greg Lobban has represented Scotland at three Commonwealth Games
Scotland's top men's squash player Greg Lobban says the lure of potentially playing at the Olympics hastened a planned move to apply for Australian citizenship, one he believes is "the best decision for me and my family."
The world number 28 from Inverness recently gained permanent resident status down under and hopes the full switch will be completed by this time next year.
With an Australian wife – former squash player Donna Lobban – family is a big factor, but so is the opportunity to play a part when the sport makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in two years time.
"I have got strong Australian ties with my wife being born here and my son being half Australian, so this was going to happen at some point," the 33-year-old told BBC Scotland.
"I was thinking it was probably going to be post-squash career in terms of applying for residency and citizenship but the prospect of representing Australia at the Olympic games is too much of an exciting opportunity to turn down.
"At this stage of my career, this is really motivation to put in a good two years and hopefully be able to have Australian representation at the Games. Only 16 males and 16 females will get an opportunity to compete at the first Olympic games for squash."
Lobban has a doubles bronze medal for Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 16 PSA titles to his name.
Squash star who could have played football for Scotland
His decision comes 25 years after another Scottish squash player, Peter Nicol, controversially switched allegiance to England.
"I can't thank Scottish Squash enough for the support they have given me over the past 18 years of my professional career," he said.
"I had been worried about the reaction, they are maybe losing one of their top players and it would have been easy for them to kick up a little bit of a stink about it, but they have been fantastic.
"In terms of the Peter Nicol stuff, I wouldn't draw too many comparisons especially because of the rankings that we hold and the names, they are not comparable and I think maybe if I was number one and a world champion like Peter Nicol maybe there would have been more animosity.
"I was too young to know what was going when Peter did switch over but I would certainly have been one of those ones thinking 'oh why would you move when you are born here and you are really proud to be Scottish like I am?' But when the cards are on the table and you are doing the best thing for you or your family, I think 99% of the people would make the same decision."
At present, there are six players eligible for Team GB above Lobban in the rankings, whereas he would comfortably be the highest placed Australian.
He was ranked 21st in the world when making his choice and explained: "I felt, probably selfishly, I deserve a chance to qualify.
"I am predicting I would have to be ranked in the top 25 or 26 in the world by 2028, so this route is definitely not a sure thing but it is a motivation factor for me to be able to keep my ranking high enough to put in the work day in day out which is something I probably haven't had in the last few years."
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Lobban leaves Scotland for Australia to chase Olympic dream – BBC
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