Top honours at junior champs
Tararua teens succeed in Central Squash Junior championships
Several junior squash players from Dannevirke and Tararua squash clubs recently played in the Central Squash Junior Age Group Championships in Hawera, with two Tararua District teens taking the top honours.
Brodie Bennett from the Tararua Squash Club played in the under-19 boys’ class, two age groups higher than his age.
He secured the win in a fast-paced, high energy four-game match against the defending under-19 champion.
Owing to no one playing for the under-19 girls’ category, the under-17 girls’ division was bumped up to contest the under-19 championship. Elizabeth Laws from the Dannevirke Squash Club won, also in a highly competitive four-game match.
Jake Laws, also from the Dannevirke club, beat the top seed in the under-13 boys division final to claim the title for his age group.
Other Tararua District players also gained places: Alexia Laws (Dannevirke), was runner-up in the under11 girls, Cade Eriksen (Dannevirke) was runner-up in the under-17 boys, and Piper Bennett (Tararua) was runner-up in the under-13 girls.
Brodie, Elizabeth and Jake all attended last month’s North Island Age Championships in Hawke’s Bay, with Brodie securing runner-up for the under-15 boys.
Jake won the plate for the under13 boys and Elizabeth maintained her 12th place seeding.
Both Brodie and Elizabeth have entered B grade this year, a great accomplishment for their age and
Both Dannevirke and Tararua clubs are very proud of their junior players.
testament to their dedication. Both Dannevirke and Tararua clubs are very proud of their junior players.
The Prince Junior Series was run alongside the Central Squash Age Championships this year.
The Prince Junior Series travels around the Central Region with oneday tournaments specifically for junior squash players. It is a valuable tool for young upcoming squash players to gain regular matchplay and improve their squash.
Players receive points for both attending and winning matches at the events.
The top eight boys and girls receive new squash gear from the series sponsor, Prince.
Both Elizabeth and Brodie attended the Prince Junior Series several years ago before moving into the adult grading system.
Cade and Treye Eriksen of Dannevirke Squash Club attended nearly all of the tournaments and have reaped the rewards as a result of their commitment.
They have both flown through the junior grades and are now well into the men’s E grade.
Cade was the boys’ overall winner, securing himself a new squash bag. He was also fourth overall, winning a coaching scholarship.
Treye Eriksen was the fifth-placed boy overall and also won a new squash bag from Prince.