2023 Junior County Closed a Huge Success

By Grace Dicker

Smashing Success: Hampshire Junior County Closed Squash Tournament a Hit with Over 100 Young Players!

On the 23rd to 24th of September, the Hampshire Junior County Closed Squash tournament took place at Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club. The tournament was a huge success, with over one-hundred juniors entered from across the county!

Juniors had a great time getting into the competitive spirit and played some amazing matches of squash. Hampshire coaches remarked that they were really glad to see the work that many juniors had put in at county squads over the last few months was beginning to pay off.

Throughout all age categories, there was no shortage of closely-matched competition! From the well-supported mixed under nines, to the nail-biting GU19 final, or the sheer depth of the boys under fifteen category, to the national-level players across the whole competition, there was always an intriguing match on court. The youngest competitor was just 6 years old!

The Hampshire Junior County Closed was also a county team selection event, meaning that those who did well in their respective age categories may get the chance to represent their county later in the year at the Inter-County Championships. Their competitors better be ready for some top-tier squash!

Congratulations to those who exhibited their ball-striking might across the weekend with exceptional performances all the way up to the finals! Harry Flett who won the U17 boys title said “I really enjoyed the tournament and my matches - I’m going to try for the under 19 title next year!” Below are the winners and runners up in each age category:

• Mixed U9: Finn Husson (Winner), Luke Woodward (Runner-up)
• BU11: Hamish McLellan (Winner), James Woodward (Runner-up)
• BU13: Leo Carpenter (Winner), Nick Holmes (Runner-up)
• BU15: James Graham (Winner), William Aldridge (Runner-up)
• BU17: Harry Flett (Winner), Jérôme Porter (Runner-up)
• BU19: Alexander Broadbridge (Winner), Matthew Hartley (Runner-up)
• GU11: Olivia Holbrook (Winner), Martha Hammond (Runner-up)
• GU13: Amelia Holbrook (Winner), Lucy Aldridge (Runner-up)
• GU15: Sophie Vail (Winner), Aditi Rao (Runner-up)
• GU17: Harriet Broadbridge (Winner), Phoebe Griffiths (Runner-up)
• GU19: Elizabeth Dicker (Winner), Megan Light (Runner-up)

Hampshire Squash is also thankful for the support of the event’s sponsors: Karakal and Tempura Communications, who made the brilliant event possible. The winners and runners up were very pleased with their prizes from Karakal: £40 vouchers for runners up and £100 vouchers for the winners! Andrew Flett, Chair of Hampshire Junior Squash, said “The atmosphere was fantastic and the kids all played with great spirit. Hampshire is really lucky to have some of the best juniors, coaches and facilities in the country. Now that squash is in the shortlist for addition to the Olympic games in LA in 2028 - we expect to see a big growth and investment in the sport.”

The event was a huge success and it was great to see so many juniors from Hampshire having fun and playing well. It’s been a great way to kick off the season for Hampshire squash; let’s keep it going for Inter-Counties!