Evie raises a racquet to support her sport
ANINE-YEAR- OLD Southport girl has gone right to the top to get backing for squash to become an Olympic sport.
Churchtown Primary pupil Evie Hutchinson, who plays at Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club, was asked to write a “persuasive” letter for her Y4 homework, and decided to write about why she thought squash should be included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Her teacher, Cassie Thornley, was so impressed that she said that she should send it off – and Evie has had replies from top players, including former World champion Nick Matthew, as well as the International Olympic committee president Thomas Bach, and the chairman of the British Olympic Association, Sir Hugh Robertson.
Evie, whose five-year-old sister, Elsie, has also had a go at the sport, gave three reasons to feature squash – including: “Squash is so much fun to play but is also a great spectator sport. You would be guaranteed to sell every ticket for every match so the atmosphere would be electric.”
She also sent the letter to Blue Peter. “She was absolutely delighted to get all the replies, and thrilled when she got a Blue Peter badge as well,” said her dad, Ian.
Evie’s coach, Jim Foggitt, chairman of squash’s North West Regional Forum, passed the letter on to England Squash, which also backed the youngster’s plea.
Jim said: “Evie – like many adult players – can’t understand why squash isn’t an Olympic sport, and she wrote an excellent letter to put her view forward.
“We’ve all got our fingers crossed that the Olympic powers take notice and do something about it.
*There’s a special squash event at S&B, on August 9, when James Willstrop and Daryl Selby – two of the world’s leading players – will be putting on an exhibition match, and playing club members.