The NSW Junior State Age Squash Championships held in Parkes and Forbes last weekend were a huge success, bringing more than 500 people to the two towns. More than 250 matches were played by 100 squash players coming from as far as Darwin. It was the first time this event was held in a regional centre and was one of only two gold ranked events to be held in the state this year, attracting the top players for the ranking points on offer. The NSW Blue Tongues team for 2016 was announced at the conclusion of the event.
The team includes two to three players in each age division from under 13 to under 19. Four players from the local region were selected in the team. They are Haylee and Jemma Besant from Rylstone and Elle and Georgie Lane from Dunedoo. To make NSW teams you have to attend several other tournaments and camps leading into this event, therefore unfortunately none of the local players were eligible.
They still had a good tournament with Kacey Nightingale finishing fourth and Bronte O’Shannessy fifth in the Under 15 Girls. Marley O’Shannessy came sixth in the Under 13 girls, and Henry Kross finished fourth in the Under 11’s. The big news is that the Parkes and Forbes Squash Clubs have been announced as hosts for next year’s Greenshield. It is the state’s major teams event. It will take place over three days with eight teams – four boys and four girls teams from Under 11 to Under 17 – from seven regions in NSW and ACT competing.