Winning is in the blood at Racquets Squash Academy

YOUNG Thame squash players particularly have been showing off their skills recently, when they took part in the Racquets Graded squash tournament, held at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, over the weekend of April 17 – 19.

Josh Franklin and the other competitors after receiving their prizes

The club was very proud to see their up and coming juniors given the chance to showcase their skills.

The girls’ event was one of the closest tournaments held over the weekend. The winner, Zoe Martin-Downhill, managed to fend of Catherine Fotherby and Emily Withey, both daughters of the Guinness Squash World record holders at Racquets Fitness Centre.

Zoe’s proud father and manager of the club, Simon Martin, commented “As parents, it was a wonderful weekend to see our children competing and excelling at a sport they love. I have always had a passion for squash and to see my daughter share that same passion is something special.”

Josh Franklin who has only been playing for eight weeks, won the boys event, no doubt his rapid improvement aided by the fact that he was a regular participant of the successful Easter Squash Camps that Racquets ran over the school holidays.

Sue Martin-Downhill, Josh’s coach, said:  “I am so happy to see Josh coming through to win all of his matches. He is such a pleasure to coach; he listens to what I tell him and immediately does it!” Other close competitors in this event were James Wood, Ollie Coulcher-Porter, Evan Littler and Jamie Mather.

William John, the club professional added:  “It is so inspiring to see these young players competing against each other and really enjoying their squash matches. They were all trying so hard to perform at their best and it was such a pleasure to be involved.” Will was keen to stress that while everyone wants to win at Racquets, the centre really tries to educate everyone about the importance of fair play and how to win and lose in an appropriate way.

Will added: “Whilst winning is obviously important there is an art to being able to lose, take on board the improvements you need to make and at the same time staying positive and optimistic.”

The younger boys’ event saw Fionn Leaney coming through to win his tournament, but there was very close competition from Chris Watts and Finlay Wright who both performed extremely well, three boys who are all friends and play regularly at Thame’s local squash club and gym.

The young winners of each event had beaming smiles when they were handed their prizes of a brand new Pointfore racket, made possible by the sponsor Trevor Cox Motors.

In another particularly notable grade in the tournament, the Mixed E grade in which Tanya Wright (Finlay’s mum) reached the final, losing narrowly to visitor Jess Thorne. New players, Neil Shorter and Mark Owen, played in the 3rd/4th play-off. Mark has been playing squash for about just three months!

Will John concluded: “Our tournaments really are great competition and fun for all standards. Overall it was a very successful weekend with lots of kids and adults coming together and playing squash in the great spirit that it should be. The team at Racquets Fitness Centre are actively encouraging more and more kids and new adults to play squash in the local community with John Hampden, Barley Hill and St Joseph’s schools coming to squash courses throughout the year.”