Squash Ireland’s new Junior Performance Academy will take a huge leap forward this coming week when 31 players from four age-groups gather in Dublin.
The four-day camp, led by national coach Arthur Gaskin, junior performance coach David Noone and junior development coach Michael Conroy, marks the new-season lift-off for the strategic development of the best of young Irish squash talent.
Three U19s – including Aaron Knox and Nathan Hann, who played at the recent World Squash Junior Championships in Cairo – will be in attendance along with six U17s, 12 U15s and 10 U13 players.
It was October 2024 when the American-based Gaskin, a 14-year PSA tour professional and an eight-time National champion, was appointed head coach following the publication of Squash Ireland’s high-performance strategy.
Listed amongst Gaskin’s targets was the creation of a junior pathway system, and the upcoming camp at Fitzwilliam LTC is viewed as the academy’s major kick-off.
“It is the first time the players would have got together as this type of squad,” enthused Gaskin. “It launched on June 1st.
“Michael went to the Dutch Junior Open and David to Cairo for the Worlds. Then this is the first time all the age groups are invited to attend a camp, to get together for a couple of days.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players to get many reps in with Squash Ireland’s three coaches ahead of the season. Working hard every hour together will help build continuity. Watch out, world, there is more to come.”
Squash Ireland JPA camp – Dublin, August 18th-21st
U19 (3): Aaron Knox, Advik Ajay, Nathan Hann
U17 (6): Danny Jones, Eoin Mullery, Matthew Bailey, Roisin Murphy, Samuel Hann, Vinny Knaggs
U15 (12): Chloe Jordan, Daisy Morrissey, Finn Conroy, Izzy Bailey, Jamie Morrissey, Liam Cupitt, Maisy Evans, Michael Lai, Raghad Aboelela, Saibh Darcy, Zoe Nyhan, One other player (TBC)
U13 (10): Ailong Chen, Arthur McDonald, Aurora McDonnell, Bridget Whitcomb, Caoimhe English, Eoin O’Brien, Harry Knox, Juliette O’Gorman, Ruby Carroll, Tom Hardiman
