It's been a busy couple of months for Windscale Squash Juniors, with the higher standard players representing the club at many events, starting with the Birmingham Grand Prix, an England Squash invitation only event, for those ranked high enough in the National rankings. Windscale Squash  had three girls invited, Girls u.13 Jessica Winder (national ranking 16), Girls u.15 Hannah Crichton (46), and Girls u.17 Lara Cooper (53), all 3 were pushed to the limit in their 5 games over the weekend and all managed to better their national ranking place in their individual competition. Jessica finished 11^th, Hannah finished 27^th, and Lara finished 29^th.

Next up was the Cumbria County Championships.  Bettering last year's total of 4 age group champions was a tall order, but as can be seen, the work the juniors and their coaches have put in was well worth it. This year we had 5 County Champions, G u.13 Megan Singleton, G u.15 Jessica Winder, B u.11 Bradley Frain, B u.13 Michael Hobbs, B u.19 Liam Barrett, and the 4 runners up were, G u.15 Hannah Crichton, G u.17 Lara Cooper, B u.11 Jackson Holliday, and B u.13 Joe Money. Our Plate winner was G u.15 Luisa Mc Gregor.

Following on from this success, our intrepid travellers (and their willing parents), made their way to Manchester for the North West Area Closed Championships. This event is limited to the Counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Merseyside, so once again the juniors are exposed to the best in the North West.  Ten juniors took part, and all played to their highest standard, against doughty opponents throughout the two days. The final positions of all our players taking part were as follows, Boys U.11, Bradley Frain 7^th out of 16, Ross Singleton 12^th/16. Boys U.13, Michael Hobbs 4^th/13. Boys U.15,  Adam Pearson 22^nd/24. Boys U.17, Owen Barrett 8^th/14. Girls U.13, Megan Singleton 4^th/6. Girls U.15, Jessica Winder 3^rd/9, Hannah Crichton 4^th/9. Girls U.17, Lara Cooper 1^ST/4, Sarah Frain 4^th/4.

Over the next few weeks many of our juniors are playing Inter- County matches over the north of the country, and we wish them well. Boys U.17 Owen Barrett, Boys U.13 Michael Hobbs, Joe Money. Girls U.15 Jessica Winder, Hannah Crichton, Luisa Mc Gregor, Megan Singleton. Girls U.17 Lara Cooper, Sarah Frain, Hannah Crichton, Jessica Winder. These juniors are the flag bearers at the club for the many other junior players wanting to emulate their success, and with more quality practice and dedication, the conveyor belt of Windscale Academy junior talent will continue to thrive.

Following on from our success at the N. W. Area Closed Championships Jessica Winder and Hannah Crichton have been included in the N. W. Area Squads. Their coaching starts on November 15^th, with the second session on December 6^th, followed by further sessions in the new year.

The club have recently received more good news from England Squash, two of their coaches have progressed a further rung up the coaching ladder. Linda Winder, Head Coach at the club, receiving her Level 3 Coaching licence, following her extended study and practical tests at Manchester during the spring/summer, and John Crichton received the news this week, that he has achieved his Level 2 Coaching licence, following on from the work he's put in over the last six months, and his weekends at Manchester also. As well as these two, there are many other coaches and assistants, who, through their time and patience, are bringing the game to an even bigger group of aspiring players.