NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
MOVE TO CAIRNS SPURS YOUNG GUN’S SELECTION TO PNG’S NATIONAL SQUASH SQUAD
INCREDIBLE.
That is one word to describe Christopher Whitchurch’s journey from first picking up a squash racquet less than two years ago to now being part of the Papua New Guinea national squash team.
It also sums up how the 15year-old is feeling about the achievement.
“If you had asked me two years ago what I wanted to do with my squash, I never would’ve dreamed of representing my country,” said Whitchurch.
“To make the team is just an incredible experience for me. I am very proud,” he said.
The teenage star staked his claim for a spot in the national team at the PNG Squash Open in Port Moresby last December, where he took down several opponents outside his usual age division.
Following his 3-0 win over Linus Do’o in the U19 Boys’ final, Whitchurch was selected to join the PNG train-on squad.
He was back in Port Moresby earlier this month to attend the team’s final selection trials, where his hard work and athletic ability was rewarded.
Whitchurch, the youngest of the PNG team by about a decade, will represent his country for the first time at the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa in July.
He will join fellow Cairnsbased PNG representative Lokes Brooksbank in the team.
“It’s great to make the (national) team now, but I really want to keep representing my country and keep getting better,” said Whitchurch.
“If I feel like it, maybe I’ll see if I can go pro in the future.”
Originally from Port Moresby, Whitchurch moved to Cairns in 2018 to take his squash further under the Far North coaching duo of Marc Forster and former professional player Steve Finitsis.
He finished third in the U17 Boys’ division at the weekend’s 2019 Smithfield Dental Cairns Junior Squash Championships.
Also a keen footballer and rugby league player, Whitchurch said he preferred the individual nature of squash.
“It’s an independent sport and you can only depend on yourself,” he said.
“Everything that happens is on you – you get to control it,” he said.
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