Amelie aiming for the top

Amelie Guziak is a teenager on a mission.

She hopes to represent Australia at the World Junior Championships in Melbourne this July, and has been ticking all the right boxes on her way to being the best.

Following her father’s interest in squash, Amelie first picked up a racquet aged just four, and by 10 was competing in tournaments, usually against competitors two or three years her senior.

Fast forward a few more years, and Amelie has represented her country in a Trans-Tasman tournament, won state junior titles in Victoria and in February claimed her first PSA Satellite event at the Salming Geelong Open Championships.

Now her focus is on this month’s Australian Junior Open, which will be a key event towards selection for the World Junior Championships later this year.

“Though I’m in the under 17s age group, I will be competing in under 19s,” said Amelie. “This is to challenge myself as well as increase my chances of World Junior team selection.”

Having gone through a period without a coach, Amelie is now being guided by 1999 World Champion and former world number one Cassie Thomas. Not only does Thomas know what it takes to get to the top of the sport, she also knows exactly what Amelie is going through having become Junior World Champion herself in 1991.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Amelie. “I’m very fortunate to be coached by a former world number one and she has played a big role in my progress.

“Cassie pushes me but we can have a laugh too.”

Amelie calls the RACV City Club her home but trains at the Squash Melbourne Club, and earlier this year had the opportunity to travel to Birmingham and compete in the British Junior Open.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” she said. “I had a lot of fun being part of the Australian group, but I also really enjoyed chatting with other players from around the world.

“What I took most from the event is the impact it had on my squash and mental strength. I felt my experience was lacking to begin with but by the end of the event I had learnt so much.

“This kind of exposure is really important, especially at my age. I still managed some great wins, but the BJO helped me realise my potential and I returned home more determined than ever.”

With a lot of the hard work now complete, and with the Birmingham experience and Geelong Open win under her belt, Amelie is now focused on the Australian Junior Open and the ultimate aim of being selected for World Juniors.

“It would mean everything to me because all my work over the past few months has been towards achieving this goal,” said Amelie. “I will be turning 16 soon so I would really love the opportunity to experience such an event at this stage of my development.

“The BJO experience really helped prepare me for bigger international events like this, and of course with it being in Melbourne this year that would make the selection even more memorable.”

Citing world number one Nouran Gohar as her favourite player (“I love her focus, fight and determination”), Amelie also has lofty goals and little will stand in her way of achieving them.

“My other goals include beating the men to win Division 1 at an open this year, under 19s team selection for the Trans-Tasman event in New Zealand, and a much higher placing at the next BJO,” she said. “If it’s possible I hope to add in another international event before that.

“My training in all areas will continue to grow and expand.

“I’m very fortunate to be sponsored by the Victorian Institute of Sport, who are a great support, and I have an awesome trainer who has really made a difference.”