It’s been just on 3 months since the Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham in England, but for MSA Alumni Jacob Schueler the memory will live on forever.  It was Jacob’s first Commonwealth Games and he says the atmosphere was amazing. “The Commonwealth Games were unbelievable.  It was big, and everyone was so friendly and the vibe around the town was the same.  As soon as you arrived at the airport, people directed you to your baggage, busses and your accommodation.  Like no one has ever done that at a tournament for me before.”

For Jacob being in a team environment was something new and something he really enjoyed. “When you normally arrive at a tournament you are on your own and playing for yourself, but the Australian team were so close throughout the event.  We all went to each other’s games and cheered hard for our teammates.  I even got in trouble one day for using a horn to create an atmosphere, which we had used every other day.”

While Jacob is now used to international competition and knows the level needed to medal at these tournaments, he says the Commonwealth Games are a small step up from a normal Badminton major event. “While you still have your major countries in the competition such as India, Malaysia, and Singapore, you also have countries playing that you normally don’t see as much throughout the year.  So, the Commonwealth Games are great for the fact they showcase the major Badminton playing countries but also give the smaller countries a chance to compete at this level.”

Jacob won the 2022 men’s national championship and was proud to carry the title of Australian Champion into the event.  “It is what got me through to the Games and I was very happy to be playing in the men’s singles tournament.  I must say though when you see a capacity crowd watching you in the stands and all eyes are on you, it doesn’t matter what title you hold, it’s all about who adapts to the situation quicker, and that can give you a massive advantage.  Seeing it was my first Games, it just took me that little bit longer to get used to it.  That sort of environment and crowd is something we don’t get in Australia.”

Now that he has experienced this one, a home State Commonwealth Games in 2026 is something he would love to be a part of. “While I have my eyes on Paris 2024, Victoria in 2026 is something I really want to be at as a competitor.  Being at home in regional Victoria, I believe Badminton is in Gippsland, I am looking ahead to that, and it is an event that is really on my radar.”

For now though, Jacob continues to travel around the world, working on his game with the hope of climbing the ranking as he does.  “ I am playing in New Zealand next week in Auckland and hope to get to Bahrain for a couple of tournaments later in the year, before starting to focus on Olympic Qualifiers next year.”

When Jacob is not traveling around the world playing Badminton he works here at the Academy as one of our night duty managers, helping to service the community groups that utilise our facilities.  We wish Jacob all the best as he attempts to make his first Olympic games in Paris in 2024.