Born in Bermuda, but raised in Scotland, Gemma Lightbourne admits that competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feel like a homecoming.

Lightbourne expects to experience an avalanche of emotions when she returns to a country that still holds a special place in her heart, having spent her formative years growing up in Aberdeen in the north-east of Scotland.

The 17-year-old was part of the Scotland rhythmic gymnastics programme for almost five years and is excited about the prospect of becoming reacquainted with her former team-mates and coaches.

“Going back to Scotland to see my old team-mates, who I will be competing against, and my old coaches will be very nerve-racking but also exciting,” said Lightbourne, who last visited Glasgow two years ago to spend time with family.

“It should make things a little easier as I won’t get homesick and I guess it will feel like a home crowd for me.

“I lived in Scotland for 13 years but moved to back here to be closer to my dad’s family as he’s Bermudian.

“The Island has become my home; I love it here, it’s beautiful and I have some amazing supportive family and friends.”

When Lightbourne returned to Bermuda three years ago she believed she had hung up her leotard for good after suffering a troublesome foot injury.

However, she was enticed into making a comeback by Duke Nelligan, the Bermuda gymnastics head coach, and initially tried her hand at artistic gymnastics before deciding to return to more familiar territory.

“When I came back here my intention was to stop because I had a really bad foot injury but I basically got dragged back into it,” said Lightbourne, who will travel to Glasgow with Amanda Baughman, the Bermuda assistant coach.

“Duke thought it would be a good idea for me give artistic gymnastics a go. I did one competition but was terrified of the beam and the bars, so I went back to rhythmic.

“I don’t really have a coach here, so I have been travelling back and forth to Baltimore where I train under a Russian coach. She’s really intense and has prepared me well for the Games.

“I’ve also been training for 13 hours a week at the In Motion School of Dance [in Hamilton] because with rhythmic you need a dance background.”

The Saltus Grammar School pupil believes that reaching her event’s final is not beyond her should she perform to her potential at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, where all the gymnastics events will held.

“To qualify for the final would be amazing,” said Lightbourne, who claimed four gold medals in the rhythmic competition at last summer’s USAIGC International Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“I feel like maybe I can do it, but I don’t want to jinx anything. I get butterflies just thinking about the Games and it’s going to be an amazing experience.”

The qualifying round of the rhythmic gymnastics, which consists of the ribbon, ball, hoop, clubs and rope, will be held on July 24 with the final being held the next day.