A SECONDARY school pupil is getting ready to fly the flag for Scotland at a European Championships.

Finlay Jack is part of the Scottish team heading out to Podcetrtek, in eastern Slovenia, for Badminton Europe’s Under-17 European Championships.

Scotland will take eight teenagers for the tournament as they take on a selection of the 32 competing countries.

Jack, who has just started S5 at North Berwick High School, will be boosted by having been crowned boys’ under-17 Scottish National Champion last Sunday (August 15) in Glasgow.

His mum, Karen, praised her son’s commitment after taking up the sport as an eight-year-old.

She said: “He started at a local badminton club with Irene Blair.

“He started at her club and really just worked his way up through the ranks.

“He was selected for the under-15s national team a couple of years ago and just his keenness and enthusiasm got better and better.

“He is the driving force.

“He trains six times a week – you cannot make him do that!”

Training takes Finlay, whose younger brother Callum, 14, also represents Scotland in the sport, all over the central belt.

Sessions take place in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Hamilton, with his dedication rewarded at the national championships earlier this month.

The 16-year-old did not drop a set on his way to the final, which was won last year by Dunbar’s Euan Campbell, who, along with Daniel Innes, plays in the national championships in Perth this weekend.

A first round 21-7 21-5 victory over Reuben McFarlane was followed by a 21-8 21-5 win over Lewis Smith in the second round.

Jack then ended Danny O’Neil Ferrero’s challenge in the quarter-finals with a 21-10 21-12 success before defeating Callan Short 22-20 21-16.

However, the final contest proved trickier as he took on Lewis Coghill.

The Glasgow School of Sport teenager took the first set 21-13.

Jack bounced back to level the scores, taking the second set 21-17, before going on to wrap up the title with a 21-18 third set victory.

Jack also reached the semi-finals of the mixed doubles alongside Sophie Barrie, losing out to eventual runners-up Callan Short and Katrina Chan.

Now, he is getting ready to represent Scotland in Slovenia.

The national team head out tomorrow (Monday) and the tournament gets underway on Friday (September 3).

He will play both doubles and singles at the competition, which is held every alternate year.