Under 15s squash champ inspires others

RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame, has a habit of producing young, quality squash players and coaches and one of their younger proteges, Nick Harbour, the new, Under 15s Oxfordshire Junior Closed squash champion, is helping pass on his experience and skills to younger players.  

15 year-old Nick Harbour

Nick,  who won the event on  September 27/28,  at Abingdon Squash Club winning above 14 other boys from our county,  helps Coaches, Roger Ridler and Sue Martin-Downhill on Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays to teach the younger children of Thame and surrounding villages. Sue said: “Nick’s passion for the game is evident every time he is seen on court,  especially when practicing on his own.

“With the help of Nick we have plenty of new keen players who are learning the craft of squash ready to join the tournament trail in the hope of one day following in the Englishman Nick Matthews footsteps of becoming World Champion. Ollie Coulcher-Porter is just one of these who made great progress in the County Championships Under 11s this year.”

Nick, along with Ben Hedger who won the Under 17s age group, plays for the adult men’s teams at Racquets Fitness Centre, playing in the Oxfordshire Inter-club leagues and plays  for the Oxfordshire county in the Inter-county junior championships.

Simon Martin, one of Nick’s coaches, added: “‘Nick is a very natural squash player who stays very calm when playing competitively but is a determined competitor. It is fantastic that he is happy to help the other children learn the game and that he is giving back to the sport so early in his career.”

Racquets has plenty of opportunities for adults and children alike to begin playing the game,  including half term squash camps during the October half term.