Young squash squad look for Games upsets
Bermuda Squash Racquets Association (BSRA) director of squash Patrick Foster has tipped the local contingent to pull off a few upsets at this month’s Island Games in the Isle of Wight.The Island team will comprise of Micah Franklin, who placed tenth in the US junior open this year, Chris Stout, Laura Robinson, Juliette Ferrari-McComb with Andrew Mount coaching the side.Foster recognises the young foursome’s potential and believes the Games will be a provide a good learning experience.“We certainly have assembled a team that has a bright a future ahead of them Obviously Micah is about to turn professional while Chris was a part of our Caribbean Championship team last year,” said Foster.“Micah was an obvious choice for the team, Chris will be one for the future while on the ladies’ side it will be a little bit more difficult.“They both have played internationally as juniors but this will be their first time in the senior level so they were selected with a view to the future but also being the best we have available at this point in time.”The quartet will play in individuals as well as men’s, ladies’ and mixed doubles.While the squash wasn’t in the 2009 Games in Aland, Foster hopes the youngsters can have just as good an impact on the festival as the ‘07 side which came close to a podium finish.“We didn’t go to 2009 because they didn’t have the facilities but 2007 was a very successful team that included Nick Kyme, James Stout, Denise Kyme and Liz Martin.“This team will play as individuals as well as men’s and ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles.“Doubles is fairly new to us so it will be interesting to see how they get along with that aspect of the game but in the men’s side they both are very talented, and although they may not bring back medals like the previous team they should do well.“They aren’t Nick Kyme and James Stout but they should be there or thereabouts. Micah is 18 and Chris is young as well so it should be a good experience and to see how they get on in front of a big crowd. We are hoping for a good result from them.”Squash will be played at the Westridge Squash and Tone Zone gym, which has re-opened following an extensive refurbishment programme.The seven state-of-the-art squash courts now have Class four competition standard floors, while the playing walls of each court have been repainted and the lighting improved.Five of the seven courts now have glass doors that improve both safety and visibility of the courts.The squash event set to start on June 26.