2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships officially opened
Published Mon 17 Jul 2023
The 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships will commence on Tuesday following a colourful Opening Ceremony in Melbourne on Monday night.
More than 240 players from 33 nations descended on the Australian Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australian team co-captains Erin Classen (WA) and Madison Lyon (QLD) officially opened the tournament.
Amongst the dignitaries present at the Ceremony were Zena Wooldridge OBE, World Squash Federation President, Craig Phillips AM, Commonwealth Games Australia CEO and Robert Donaghue, Squash Australia CEO.
The Junior World Championships have long been a launching pad for the best players in the world to embark on their senior careers, with the likes of Australian former World No.1s Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Rachael Grinham on the impressive honour roll from the tournament.
Australian coach Cassie Thomas - another former World No.1 who won this tournament as a teenager - said the team had come together well prior to the event and are primed to get the competition underway.
“It’s been a great atmosphere, they’ve all bonded as a team really well and been training well together,” she said. “Now it’s here everyone’s looking forward to getting underway tomorrow and actually playing some matches against the other countries.”
Classen said the Australian team had gelled well in the lead-up to the tournament with the opportunity to play such a big event at home presenting a unique opportunity for the 12-strong Australian team.
“I think this one probably is a highlight,” said Classen. “To play for your country at your home ground is just amazing, and your friends and your family can come and watch you as well so you just feel more like home and hopefully you’ll play better as well representing your country.”
The men’s and women’s singles competitions start on Tuesday 18 July at Melbourne Sports Centres with the first matches commencing at 11am. The singles competitions will be decided on Sunday 23 July, with action from Monday to Saturday next week taking place in the women’s teams event.
