Top squash players compete in city tournament

Squash players aiming to show their Olympic credentials will be competing in the University of Lincoln Silver Junior Open competition this weekend.

Around 200 players will be battling it out at various venues across the city and beyond from Friday to Sunday as Lincoln hosts its first tournament at silver level.

The competitors will have an eye on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles when the sport will be included for the first time as organiser Nigel Jubbs of Win Squash Coaching explained.

“Bronze events have been held in Lincoln before, but this is the first time a Silver Junior Open has been held here, so it is quite a coup for the city. It’s important for the juniors to get ranking points to get picked to play for England. It is a feeder event to the national levels.

“We will definitely be seeing some potential Olympians getting experience for squash being included for the first time at the next Games.”

Ages range from the Under 9s to Under 19s and the competitors represent the top 150 players in the country in their sector.

Nigel is pictured top right with the Win Squash Coaching team that has helped organise the tournament and he also thanked individual squash clubs hosting the different age groups at their home venues – Lindum, Metheringham, Eastgate, University of Lincoln and Rustons.

“There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes as we have had to sort out things like getting national referees, safeguarding and first aid for all the venues. Apart from the competitors they will be their coaches and their mums and dads, so there will be a lot of squash lovers in the city over the weekend.”