New Zealand World Juniors Confirmed

A group of 12 NZ junior players have been selected to compete in the 2022 WSF World Junior Squash Championship, 11-21 August, Nancy, France.

It is the first time in 3 years a junior team has travelled after Covid-19 issues have disrupted tournaments.

It is the boy’s year for the teams event, with the girl’s the following year.

The boy’s team has a number of players with experience in PSA tournaments from the NZ circuit with Joe Smythe from Bay of Plenty at No 1 and current NZ Junior champion. Paul Moran becomes the first player from the South Island since 2017 with the Marlborough player selected after some strong recent performances.

Mason Smales is one of two Henderson players in the team, the tall left-hander spent time overseas training in the United Kingdom with some of the world’s best as well as competing in the US Open Juniors. The second player from the Henderson Squash Club in Auckland is Apa Fatialofa.

There are also 2 players competing as individuals Oliver Dunbar (Wellington) the team reserve and Tom Marshall from Marlborough.

The 6 girls playing as individuals are junior champion, Sophie Hodges from the Waikato and Auckland left-hander Ella Lash who have both had experience at past World Junior Champs.

They are joined by Hawkes Bay’s Jena Gregory, Wellington’s Maiden-Lee Coe, Anne Leakey (Auckland) and Anabel Romero Palmerston North.

“It’s great that the World Juniors is on again and that such a youthful and talented group of players have been selected. They will not only learn a lot, but we know there will be some good results as well,” said Squash NZ High Performance Manager, Shelley Kitchen.

Two former professional international players will coach the girls Emma Millar and Tamsyn Leevey. Coaches for the boys are Manu Yam and Nic Dann.

Junior boy’s team:

Joe Smythe (BOP)

Mason Smales (Auckland)

Paul Moran (Canterbury)

Apa Fatialofa (Auckland)

Individual competition:

Oliver Dunbar (Wellington) team reserve

Tom Marshall (Canterbury)

Manu Yam (Auckland) lead coach

Nic Dann (Canterbury) assistant coach/manager

Girls individual competitors:

Sophie Hodges (Waikato)

Ella Lash (Auckland)

Jena Gregory (Eastern)

Maiden-Lee Coe (Wellington)

Anne Leakey (Auckland)

Anabel Romero (Central)

Emma Millar (Waikato) lead coach

Tamsyn Leevey (Central) assistant coach/manager

Article added: Wednesday 22 June 2022