Mark Forrester (46) looks likely to be one of the 11 strong Scottish archery team who will head out to India next October to line up against competitors from 70 other nations.

Mark, who has been a member of the Auchenhowie based Clyde Arrows since February 2006, qualified for the Commonwealth team after a strong performance in the fourth Asian Grand Prix in Kolkata in September, where he won bronze.

The self-employed joiner said he had only taken up archery after he became bored on Sunday afternoons.

Speaking to Herald Sport, he said: "It's excellent, I have a date with destiny. I can sit my grandchildren on my knee and tell them a right good story."

He added: "I used to spend my Sundays with my daughter, but she is 19 now and doing her own thing, so I started looking about for a hobby and thought I'd take up archery."

Described as a natural, Mark said that although the final selection has not yet been decided upon he has been told by the selectors that he is very likely to be chosen.

After making impressive progress at club level, Mark's big break came when he was chosen to represent Scotland in the Kolkata Grand Prix as part of the Commonwealth qualification team.

Mark, who lives in Dennistoun, said: "The intention was to go out there and just get some international experience. But I think it was my performance there that booked my ticket for the games.

"Archery is a massive televised sport in India. I knocked out their number one player and number five in the world, Mangal Singh, who competed at the Olympics last year."

Mark said: "It would be great to take part in the Commonwealth Games, just great, although it will be quite a challenge.

"There are very few sports you take up in your 40s and go on to be selected for the Commonwealth squad."

Robert Whitney, a coach at Clyde Arrows, said: "Mark is a natural and was a quick learner. He is quite a big chap and has the upper body strength needed in archery.

"He has also put a lot of time into the sport. With archery you need to spend time on your own practicing.

"You also have to have dedication, which Mark definitely has. We wish him the best of luck."