Following on from last years successful junior squash foundations, this year has seen further significant expansion and participation, at competition and recreational levels.

Recently, with England Squash assistance, we have delivered, for the first time ever for the junior schools in Egremont, the chance to partake in Squash related activities, on their school premises. This was then followed up with the chance for the children to play squash at our courts, and for them and their parents to see what we had to offer them at a 'Taster Day' session.

Over 50 new children so far have been introduced to Squash at the new 'fundation' level, and from these children and others, we hope to expand the number of junior players in the years to come. We also appreciate that we need to further develop the good crop of junior players already within our system, and to provide them with the natural progression and pathways required to develop them further as players. These pathways will eventually lead them into senior squash, and the continuation and expansion of squash at Windscales Squash Club.

From the start of September 2005 through to the end of May 2006, our current junior members who are all below the age of 13, will have participated in 10 competitions throughout the county, (including for the first time in some years the 'Windscale Open'), and at inter-county level. Further to these youngsters, Liam Barrett has represented the club at many and various venues up and down the country, and has acquitted himself with style and integrity, and has more than increased his standing within the age group that he plays. We congratulate them all.

Our current playing, and competing at competition level players are; Tessa Barrett, Liam Barrett, Owen Barrett, Jack Brownbridge, Hannah Crichton, Courtney Musson, Ryan Doran, Adam Pearson, Jessica Winder and Adam Telfer.

We continue to have a good number of our juniors participating in the county age group training squads, and have had three of our players represent the county this season.

December `05, Inter-county U.13 Tournament, Newcastle

• -v- Lancashire, and -v- Northumberland
• Hannah Crichton and Jessica Winder

May `06, Cheshire Inter-county U.11 Tournament, Didsbury

• 12 teams from across the country
• Jessica Winder and Adam Telfer
• Finished 7^th out of 12 teams

Hannah and Jessica were presented with their Junior County Squash Badges earlier on this season prior to a competition at Carlisle.

Owen Barrett has represented the club playing for the county boys U.13 team.

Our other successful seasons achievements in competitions are as follows

October `05, County closed competition, Whitehaven and Workington (qualifiers)

Windscale (Finals day)

• Girls U.11 Jessica Winder
• Boys U.11 Adam Telfer
• Boys U.15 Liam Barrett
• Girls U.19 Tessa Barrett (Plate)

November `05, Wigton Graded competition

• Girls U.11 Jessica Winder (Runner-up)
• Boys U.11 Adam Telfer (Runner-up)
• Girls U.13 Courtney Musson

January `06, Carlisle Junior Open

• GirlsU.11 Jessica Winder
• Girls U.13 Hannah Crichton (Plate)
• Boys U.15 Liam Barrett

February `06, Inter-club competition (Qualifiers) Carlisle

• -v- Whitehaven, -v- Carlisle 'A', -v- Wigton 'B'
• U.13 Mixed Group 2 Winners
• Team, Hannah, Courtney, Jessica and Adam

March `06, Windscale Open Competition

• Girls U.11 Jessica Winder
• Boys U.15 Liam Barrett

March `06, Barrow Graded competition

• Mixed U.13 Hannah Crichton

March `06, Inter-club competition (Finals) Carlisle

• -v- Wigton 'A', -v- Carlisle 'A', -v- Carlisle 'B'
• U.13 Mixed Group Runners-up
• Team, Hannah, Courtney, Jessica and Adam

May `06 Champion of Champions Graded Tournament, Manchester Squash Centre

• Hannah Crichton

Liam Barrett has had an extremely successful season, as can be seen from the above results. However he has represented the club on the national stage also, achieving the following results (U.15's), Preston Open 4^th, North West Academy 5^th, Manchester Open 6^th, Ilkley Open 6^th, British Championships Plate winner, Sheffield Open 2^nd, Northern England Open Newcastle 5^th. As well as this exhausting schedule he has maintained his position as number 1 in the Men's senior 2nd team in the county leagues, whilst also playing in the premier division of the club leagues, whilst also progressing to the higher echelons of the internal league system at Carlisle Squash Club. Liam is currently ranked 29^th in the country.

So as can be seen from this exhaustive list, our small squad of juniors have for another year kept the flag flying for Windscale Junior Squash in all competitions for the club.

Our team of youngsters have integrated well into the county squash scene, and are well liked by all who come across them, their behaviour on and off court is exemplary, and they are a credit to our squash club. We are still the only club to have a distinctive club tracksuit, and they and our 'team' of helpers are instantly recognisable wherever we go.

All involved with the junior squash, would like to thank all those who have, and are assisting, in furthering the aims of the club towards the continuation and expansion of what we set in motion last season. We now know that we can sustain what we currently have in place, and that with careful consideration to all the other members of the club, can expand the participation of the keen additional youngsters who want to become future squash players. Two years of determination on a lot of peoples behalf has given us a fair reward in terms of  playing achievement, but this will pale into insignificance if we can deliver a continuing prosperous and healthy junior section of members. As was said last year, these junior players may still turn out to be the lifeblood of this club for years to come.

With a lot more hard work on everybody's behalf, we look forward to a continuing successful season, when we start back after the summer period.