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Junior squash national rankings and tournaments
By Tony Henden
Tournament participation forms a crucial part of any young player’s squash development, along with coaching, solo practice and match practice.
Within Norfolk we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in monthly Junior Squash Grand Prix, and gain a minimum of three competitive matches against a similar ability opponent. We also have opportunities for both friendly and competitive matchplay within our clubs, and between clubs at junior and senior level.
For those looking to build on these opportunities and improve their squash game further, England Squash & Racketball provide further opportunity via Inter County matches and Sanctioned competition for all age groups. Participation in Inter County matches requires selection by the County organization, but participation in Sanctioned events is open to anyone, and simply requires an ES&R Membership number obtainable through your club, or direct from ES&R.
Sanctioned events are available to play in on most weekends during the year somewhere in England, and entry not only provides valuable Tournament experience, but the award of National Ranking points. Points are awarded depending on the level of the Tournament, entry numbers, and finishing position, and can lead to a beneficial Tournament seeding.
With England Squash having recently introduced National Ranking points for both County Junior Closed competition and under 11 age categories, this means that any Norfolk player who played in this year’s Norfolk Junior Closed in September may claim their points and be awarded a National Ranking position.
Players wishing to appear in the national rankings, particularly Under 11 players should email: rankings@englandsquashandracketball.com stating their Name, County, Date of Birth, and list any sanctioned events played (including Norfolk Junior Closed).
Regional and National training squads are selected from the National Rankings, therefore not only does participation give rise to improved performance, but the opportunity for selection to Regional and National squads.
Three Sanctioned events are currently scheduled for Norfolk during 2011. EAT&SC in February (follow link for entry form) http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/competitions/360 Broadland Sports in July, and the Norfolk County Closed in September, and there is usually at least one sanctioned event within our Region every month.
Norfolk Junior Squash are looking to provide additional recognition for any Norfolk Junior gaining a National Ranking with regular monthly updates of achievement. Currently our juniors that are nationally ranked are:-
| Boys | Girls | |||
| U11 | Joseph Henden | 57 | Katie Cox | 9 |
| U13 | William Henden | 62 | Katie Cox | 55 |
| U15 | Alex Coburn Giles Evans |
111 113 |
||
| U17 | Harry Taylor Connor Doy |
24 165 |
Sophie Hodges | 72 |
| U19 | Jordan Creed Alex Williams |
46 83 |
||
For a full list of forthcoming sanctioned events please click on the following link www.englandsquashandracketball.com/competitions/sanctioned
For ES&R Membership enquiries please see your club or go to:- www.englandsquashandracketball.com/membership_types
NJS would encourage all eligible juniors to claim the National Ranking points they have already earned, and seriously consider participation in future Sanctioned events.
Should anyone require assistance with ES&R Membership, Tournament Entry, National Ranking or historic results please contact the relevant department at England squash or email tonyhenden@ntlworld.com
