Budding young squash players got their first taste of competitive action during a new team event which pitted three of Cumbria’s most thriving clubs against one another.
A total of 37 youngsters representing Carlisle, Wigton and Whitehaven, battled it out on court as part of the first inter club competition held in the county for many years.
The competition, held at Carlisle Squash Club on Sunday April 12, was organised by Cumbria Squash and Racketball as a way to give youngsters who are new to the game or hadn’t played much competitively, the chance to show of their skills and play outside of their clubs.
Players who had played for the under-11, 13 or 15 county teams were restricted from competing, paving the way for new stars to emerge. Those playing in the event will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Carlisle’s under-13 English champion Adam Goad and Whitehaven’s former under-11 national number one Matthew Harrison.
Wigton Squash Club’s teams came out on top of all three events but the emphasis of the day was on having fun.
Carlisle and Whitehaven finished joint second in the under-11 event, Carlisle were runners-up in the under-13s with Whitehaven finishing second in the under-15s.
David Henderson, chairman of Cumbria Junior Squash, said: “The event was a huge success with lots of new players appearing for the first time which is really good for our sport. It continues our commitment to driving the grassroots and attracting more players. A thank you should go to all the players as well as their clubs and parents for supporting the event.”