2021 JUNIOR COUNTY CLOSED
New County Champions for 2021
Christmas came early to East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club at Limetree Avenue, with not only the commencement of the Norfolk Closed Junior Squash competition, but also the return in the County to competitive junior squash after an enforced COVID break exceeding 20 months.
Although numbers were fewer than in previous years, it afforded an opportunity for many to experience their first competition and will hopefully generate increased interest in junior squash throughout the County giving clubs an opportunity to showcase their up-and-coming stars on the county platform.
The competition offered age groups from under 9’s (mixed) to under 19’s in both boys and girls categories, with entrants being able to enter two applicable age ranges.
EAT&SC youngest star, Ada Brown, contested the finals of both the mixed U9 and Girls U11 finals, winning in the first to Connor Jeary in his first competition, and missing out to his older sister Codie in the U11 final in a close fought match.
Codie went on to also play in the girls U13 final against her Broadland Sports Club compatriot Elise Ball, which also saw Codie take the honours and become the champion in both the under 11 and 13 girls age groups.
With the Girls U15’s being the only section uncontested, the U17 and U19 age groups both resulted in Jasmin Thirst and Ava Fox qualifying for both finals. These were played as two separate matches with the Jasmin Thirst taking both age groups.
The boys competition similarly featured numerous dual finalists, with Henry Smith playing in the U11 and U13 finals. Henry won first against newcomer Monty Gedge, and losing 3-2 in a close fought final with Alex Harrison, who crowned a successful day with a further win in the U15 final against Archie Lynch.
Archie also played in the U17 final, but had to settle again for the runner up position after being beaten by Jacob Grimmer who won the age group.
In the final game of the day, Brady Mackenzie overcame Joe Henden to win the Boys U19 age group, and cap a successful day for the youth of Norfolk Squash.
With the resumption of competitive junior squash in Norfolk, it is hoped that further interest and traction can be generated in the junior section of the sport, with many local clubs rejuvenating their coaching programs and reaching out in to local schools in an attempt to kick-start the county age group teams and being Norfolk Squash to the forefront of regional squash again.
Norfolk Junior Squash in enjoying some success at present with eight participants at the Norfolk Closed event represented in the England Squash age group rankings, and now is a great time to get along to your local club and see if you have what it takes to be in the next Norfolk Closed age group
finals!
Thank you to East Anglia Tennis & Squash Club for hosting the event and the staff who helped out on the day. Also a big thanks to Stuart Makenzie and Marie Smith for organising and running the competition on the day, this couldn't have gone ahead without them!
Keep an eye out for the next Junior Grand Prix event which will be taking place in February.
