Former Heriot-Watt University Sports Scholar Tim Shoreman is preparing to compete on one of the biggest stages in international sport after being selected to represent Team Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

For Shoreman, the call-up marks the culmination of years of dedication, development and support from the people and performance environment around him during his time at Heriot-Watt and Oriam.

Reflecting on his journey, Tim credits the University's Sports Scholarship Programme with helping him balance academic studies alongside the demands of elite sport.

"It was really good being a part of the Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarship programme. During my first year I made use of the Strength and Conditioning support which was offered to me. I had a cycling-specific training programme and I was able to train with other athletes in a similar position to myself which was nice, even if they weren't cyclists.

"The most helpful part was the academic flexibility which came with being part of the programme. This helped me to attend training camps and races without it impacting my university work."

Alongside the scholarship programme, Oriam's world-class facilities played a key role in supporting his progression.

"Oriam played a really important role as I had access to world-class gym facilities which was very helpful. Oriam is very convenient because it is on-campus, making it easy to make use of the facilities around lectures and training."

A major influence throughout Tim's cycling career has been former Commonwealth Games athlete and Oriam Bike Bothy Manager, Evan Oliphant, who first introduced him to track cycling in 2018.

"Evan brought me onto the track back in 2018 when I was a mountain biker having never ridden the track. He believed in me when it seemed like I wasn't going to go anywhere in the sport and as a result I have now competed with GB and am going to the Commonwealth Games."

Tim believes having experienced coaches and athletes around him has been instrumental in helping him reach the next level.

"I think it's really important to have experienced coaches and other experienced athletes around as you can learn so much from them. They have so much knowledge and experience, you just have to ask the right questions."

"Evan has been to three Commonwealth Games as an athlete and this will be his second as a coach so I've definitely had plenty to take from his experiences."

Receiving confirmation that he would represent Team Scotland was a moment he will never forget.

"I was just delighted. I found out on my birthday and I was also on a racing trip in the US where I had crashed and was carrying a small knee injury, so it was great to get such good news. My first feeling was relief, then I worried about trying to get my knee better so I could train again."

Competing at a home Commonwealth Games makes the occasion even more special.

"It's really, really special to be able to go to a home Games. I remember the 2014 Games and how big that was so to be able to experience that for myself is really exciting. I'm really looking forward to wearing the Scotland kit in front of a home crowd."

As he prepares for competition, Tim's focus has been on the unique demands of track cycling.

"A big focus of mine has been on tolerating the start. In track cycling you only have one gear which you have to get up to speed quickly at the start of the race. This can really hurt once you settle into the race so I have been working to try and tolerate that better."

He is also quick to acknowledge the wider performance team that has supported his development.

"It's so important and I think something which is often overlooked. It is so helpful as an athlete to have access to various areas of support such as Strength and Conditioning, Psychology, Nutrition and Physio.

"These are the most common areas I have made use of and they've all played a valuable role in getting me to the Commonwealth Games."

Looking back on his journey, Tim says being around high-performing athletes helped him realise that competing on the international stage was an achievable goal.

"Having spent time with Olympic medallists during my time with GB, one main takeaway I have is that these people are fairly normal people. It can seem on TV like they are robots and they're often put on a pedestal by the media, but at the end of the day they all live a fairly normal life.

"I think that's something that's made going to the Commonwealth Games seem a lot more achievable."

As Tim prepares to pull on the Scotland jersey, everyone at Heriot-Watt University and Oriam wishes him every success as he competes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.