Notices

Juniors

U19 European Team Championships

This year's U19 European Team squash championships were held in Germering near Munich in Germany. The Scotland squad of Chris Ferguson (EIS), Kevin Moran (WIS), Ian Jubb (EIS), Mhairi Charlton (GIS) & Morgan McGuire (WIS) were accompanied by Academy lead coach Gerry Towler and Yvonne Ferguson. This year’s team, were all out to follow up on last year's success, when that squad finished in, a very credible, 6th position. Scotland were seeded10th this year and were in arguably the hardest group, with Germany (2), Netherlands (7) & Ireland (15) all capable of providing some stern challenges. Scotland, as always, gave of their best and were able to produce surprise after surprise as they progressed through the tournament.

Victory against Netherlands in the first match was the first upset of the tournament, and the subsequent expected defeat from Germany was followed up with a hard fought win against Ireland, which saw the Scots progress through from the group stages. In the quarters we were then up against the No1 seeds England and expectedly went down, leaving us to fight it out for 5-8^th places. Two excellent wins against Belgium (6) & Czech Republic (5) saw the Scots secure a shock 5th position and equal their best finish for 21 years. The fact that the two teams we lost to then made it through to the final speaks volumes for itself.

Mhairi played in 5 of the 6 matches and put in exceptional performances in each match. At age just 16 Mhairi lost only 3 matches to players who were all ranked in the top 11 in Europe at U19 level and, very importantly, scored surprisingly well in each of these matches. Mhairi was close to taking games off the Dutch player Milou van der Heijden ranked 6th and the Czech Anna Klimundova ranked 9^th. Solid winning performances against the Belgian, Nathalie Philipsen (current Flemish Junior Open champion) – 11/6 – 11/6 – 11/6 & Ireland's Niamh O’Hare 11/7 – 11/5 – 11/2 made this a tournament worth remembering. The Belgian match in particular was a huge success as our progress to the 5th – 6th playoff was dependant on that win. The squad was managed and coached by Towler, making it a Grampian double.

Grampian Squash would like to congratulate the whole squad for a remarkable achievement. It is understood that all of the players performed well beyond expectation throughout the tournament.

Scotland U20’s Victorious over Wales & England in Cardiff

Last season Scotland hosted Wales in an Under 20 & Under 18 B International tournament, which was designed to provide some well needed preparation for the European Championships. The tournament was such a success that it was repeated this weekend in Cardiff with England being a welcome addition to the tournament. Wales had virtually the same team that beat us in the European championships last year whilst England produced a very strong team, including the up and coming star James Earles.

The Scotland squad had a strong Grampian influence with 5 of the players and the two coaches all supported by Grampian Institute of Sport (GIS). The Under 20 squad was coached by Gerry Towler, captained by Lyall Paterson and had Lisa Aitken & Mhairi Chalton included, whilst the Under 18 squad were coached by Claire Kidd and included Sam & Rosie Allan.

In the U20’s Mhairi at aged just 16 was up against opposition ranked well above her but started with an exceptional performance against Tesni Evans (European U17 ranked 2^nd) by racing to a surprising 2 game advantage, before being pegged back and going down 3/2. Mhairi lost her next 3 matches but was to score well against very talented opposition. Lisa was to have a 5 game thriller against Natalie Pritchard in her first match, finally going down 11/9 in the fifth, but thereafter was in unstoppable form. Against England's Harriet Ingham it was a spirited comeback that saw her eventually winning 10/12-11/13-15/13-11/7-11/3 and excellent 3/0 wins were obtained in her last two matches. Lyall had a tough battle against James Earles coming through 12/10-18/16-8/11-11/8, however in the other 3 matches secured controlled 3/0 wins. It was quite fitting that Lyall demonstrated such mature performances that ultimately helped Scotland to a surprising victory, with two victories over Wales and shared matches against England.

In the U18’s Sam was to have a disappointing start to the tournament losing 3/1 to Sam Huxted, frustratingly edged out 9/11 in the fourth. Suffering from eye problems Sam was also to lose on the Sunday. Rosie at age just 14 was to put in 4 excellent performances and despite losing all 4, was able to secure a couple of games earning the team 4 points. Particularly pleasing was her performance in the opening match against Wales, where playing against Abby Hicks she went down 6/11 – 7/11 – 12/10 – 10/12. The Scots were beaten by England on both days, however, they shared the spoils with Wales. On totalling the points the Scots finished third just behind the Welsh.

Grampian Junior Club of the Year award

Grampian – Mixed Inter Regional Success

Grampian were only able to field four teams at this year's National Junior Inter Regional Championships, which were once again held at Heriot–Watt University in Edinburgh. The region has been struggling with junior development, since the demise of Stonehaven and Banchory squash clubs in the last 3 years, and as a result there was no Under 11 team this year. The Under 13 team of Madeleine Reader, Jonathan Read, Nicholas Read (all ASRC) and Richard Hollins (Macduff), put in tremendous effort throughout and defeated the East to secure 5^th position.

The U15 team of Rosie Allan (ASRC), Robbie Paterson & Andrew Forbes (Shell) and Aaron Thomson (Banchory) managed to create a major upset against the much fancied Central team, to take the title. Andrew at No3 & Aaron at No4 strings were to win all five of their matches 3/0, with Rosie at No2 securing the all important 2 games in her only defeat, going down 3/2 to Chris Arnold of Central in the deciding match. Robbie at N1, lost to three players above him in the national rankings, however, he almost caused a major upset against Scotland No2 Calum Johnstone going down 3/1.

The U17 team of Chris Shinnie & Chris Leiper (ASRC), Mhairi Charlton (Shell) and Michael Boyne & Mark Everard (Banchory) were very close to emulating that success, however, they had to settle for runner up position, being edged out by Highland in their final match of the tournament. There were some exceptionally close matches in this age group and none more so than Leiper's 3/2 victory against East’s Dan McEwen (18/20 – 11/6 – 11/8 – 10/12 – 11/7). All of the games in the No4 string were comfortably won by Michael & Mark, and Mhairi, despite coming down with a virus, managed 4 wins before going down to Highland's Jamie Henderson. Chris Shinnie was close to giving Scotland No1, Greg Lobban, a fright in the same tie going down 12/10 in the third.

The U19 team had Sam Allan and Martin Robertson of (PNC), Jarod Shuttleworth (Shell) and Hannah Anthony (ASRC), fighting it out with West for the title. Grampian were to win the title. Both Sam & Martin secured games despite going down in this tie and with Jarod & Hannah managing 3/0 victories the title was once again going North to Grampian. Hannah was in commanding form throughout and won all of her games convincingly 3/0. Playing at No3, Jarod was to win all of his matches, but only just. Against Highland's John Georgeson, he edged home (7/11 – 11/8 – 11/2 – 10/12 – 16/14). Sam was pleased with his performances managing to take games off Kevin Moran and Ian Jubb who are ahead of him in the national rankings, and winning the other tie. Martin was only to lose the one match in the junior tournament and also put in some sterling performances in the Student's tournament captaining the Aberdeen University team.

First Junior Fun Tournament Butchart 23rd November 2008

ASRC Fun Tournament - REPORT

2008 Home Internationals - REPORT

Quick update on the Scotland performance at the U19 European Championships held in Norway (from a Grampian perspective).

Scotland seeded 8^th were a very respectable 6^th in the tournament with an excellent victory in the 5^th / 8^th play off against the Czechs. They would however have been disappointed to lose to Wales in the 5^th / 6^th play offs having defeated the same team a month ago in a “B” international held at Herriot-Watt University. Grampian were well represented with Lyall Paterson (Stonehaven) & Lisa Aitken (ASRC) both making the 3 player team in every match of the campaign. Against Wales Lyall lost 3/0 to Hywel Robinson having previously beaten him 3/0 in the “B” International and then 3/2 to win the Welsh Junior Open a couple of weeks ago. Lisa had a much closer match against Natalie Pritchard (ranked 6^th in Europe) going down 3/1, having previously beaten her in the “B” International. All in all however it was a very pleasing result for the youngsters who continue to develop in a positive manner.

2008 Welsh Junior REPORT

2007 National Championships REPORT

"Mr Chips" Grampian Squash Junior Open held on the 8^th-9^th December

REPORT PHOTOS

Grampian Junior Fun Tournaments - entry form

Note: There will be a bus organised for those interested in attending the Macduff tournament on 2nd March. 2008

Inter-Regional Championship - Report 2007

1st FUN Tournament - REPORT

Nordic Open 2007 - REPORT

SCOTTISH SQUASH JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS-Grampian Squash Closed- ENTRY FEES

Grampian Junior Closed 2007

Heriot Watt junior Open - Edinburgh, July 2007 REPORT


Competitors in the under 13 Team KO at Garioch.	Sunday 18th at Banchory when all the U15 teams were there to play final league matches and KO semi finals.

SNCC Application Form 2007

Coaching Conference Programme 2007

Entry Form – Scottish Junior Mixed Graded – Event 3

VOLUNTEER CHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS FOR GRAMPIAN (poster)

INFO: Nationals results and future leagues

Bells Open - Another great tournament folks from a Grampian perspective.

· Champions – U17’s – Robyn Hodgson / U15’s – Mhairi Charlton

Runners Up – U17’s Sam Allan (Best finish yet and nearly won the event) / U11’s – Callum Morrison / U11’s - Maddeleine Reader
Third – GU17 – Annie Lambe / GU15 – Rosie Allan

Great finishes for Andrew Forbes 4^th, Robbie Paterson 5^th, Chris Shinnie 5^th , Lauren Hodgson 5th, Chris Leiper 7^th, Tim 8^th Michael 10^th & Kris 12th

Keep the good work up for the Nationals and make sure these entries are in ASAP. This FRIDAY is the closing date. See attached applications.

David Lloyd Junior Open (A Event) – Glasgow May 2006
`Junior Round Up 2004 / 2005`	Junior Round Up 2005 / 2006
Grampian Squash Foundation	`Grampian Squash Foundation Application Form`
Grampian’s National Record Holders	GRAMPIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Junior Archive

Links:

BBC Sports Academy http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/academy

Diet assessment site http://www.caloriesperhour.com

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