Defending Team Champions QLD Ready for 2022 Australian Junior Championships

The Australian junior team championships are finally back in action from Thursday 30th September, after being cancelled two years in a row due to COVID-19. 

The event is the pinnacle junior squash event in Australia with athletes competing for the team championship title. The event is part of the 2022 Australian Junior Championships and will see 6 junior state and territory teams compete at Squashworld Mirrabooka squash Centre in Perth, WA. 

The team event brings together the best players from each state to go head-to-head vying for the overall national team championship title.

Manager of the Queensland team, Jules Wone, said her athletes always love joining forces for the team's event and are aiming to hold onto their Overall State Championship crown from the last event in 2019.

“QLD juniors will be backing each other during the individuals. There are some very close friendships amongst the juniors. However, the team event steps up the unity of the QLD juniors,” Wone said.

“They play for themselves, their teammates and most of all for QLD.

“It is a massive honour and responsibility to put on the maroon uniform and represent QLD. The team environment can be powerful. It can definitely help players to find strengths they never knew they had and win matches they were doubting they may win.

“QLD has a long history of being the Australian Champions and there is a certain amount of pressure to continue the winning streak. Supporting the QLD juniors to be calm and focused will be a big part of our team strategy,” Wone added

The Overall State Junior Championships title  in 2019 came down to the final U19 Men’s Match between QLD and Victoria, which was decided in the final point,  with an important message about perseverance and determination

“The 2019 Team Championships was decided by the final game of the final match in the U19 Boys,” Wone said.

“This reminded everyone that every point, game and match matters and it is not over until the very final point is played. So never give up on yourself or your teammates.”

However with limited competition experience opportunities over the past two years, Wone says they’ll need a flexible game plan heading into next week’s event.

“Junior squash has been very disrupted and there has been limited opportunity for QLD juniors to play each other and also play against juniors around Australia.

“We will be watching closely during the individual event to have the best plan for the team event,” Wone commented.

Wone shared the excitement within the QLD team and what they are expecting from the tournament. 

“I'd hope the juniors are all looking forward to being able to compete at the AJC which is one of the highest levels of Australian squash. I'm sure they are looking forward to seeing their friends again, playing their best squash and having fun. 

“The priority is for QLD to continue to be number 1 in Australia. It is also important for the juniors to achieve their personal goals and play their best squash.”

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