Mason Smith is hopeful of successfully defending his Junior Caribbean Squash championship this week.

Smith, who won the under-11 title last year is part of a strong Bermuda contingent heading to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands for the 2024 renewal, which takes place from Sunday to Saturday.

Last year, in St Vincent & the Grenadines last year, Smith, 10, became Bermuda’s first under-11 boys champion and clinched the island’s first gold medal at the championships since 2012, when Dylan Pratt and Noah Browne were crowned individual champions in the under-13 and under-19 age groups in Jamaica.

Smith has been named top seed at the event and is confident of again doing well.

“I want to go out there, do my best and try my hardest to win it again since this is my last year in the under-11s,’’ Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“This is my third year going and it’s a really good experience playing against players from other countries.

“I've been training a lot at Court House with my dad and my coaches. I've also been playing against Ben and George Qureshi, and Eli Carpol, sothat’s how I've been practising and getting ready for it.”

The rising star will enjoy support from his father, Stephen, a former Bermuda player, who is travelling with the team.

“I now have the opportunity to watch my son follow in my footsteps and grow in the sport,’’ Stephen Smith said.

“It’s going to be stiff competition for him this year, but these children deserve it and they know what they’re going down there for.

“They’re friends but once they get on court, they know there’s going to be a winner and one of them is going to be the runner-up.

“It’s the camaraderie and the friendship that means a lot to them. That’s what I want to see when they get down there, just to enjoy themselves and give it their best shot.”

Ben Sherratt, the No 2 seed who finished runner-up to Smith last year, is hopeful of reversing the result should the two meet in the final once more.

“Hopefully I win but if we meet in the final, whoever plays better on the day is going to win,’’ he said.

“Last year I just didn't hit enough length and made too many mistakes. I’ve been preparing by playing every day and trying to get even better.”

Qureshi, the No 3 seed in the age group, wants to make the most of his last opportunity to represent Bermuda before his family relocates to Canada.

“I’m excited about representing Bermuda for the last time as I'm moving back to Canada in September,’’ he said.

“I would like to be the champion, but if I don’t win I’ll accept it. Last year I finished fifth, so I’m targeting at least the semi-finals this year.

Sophie Farrer, 11, feels that she has earned her spot in the side through her efforts.

“It feels really good being part of the team because it’s something I really worked hard for,’’ she said.

“I’ve been training hard with the team, by myself and my with my dad. This is the first time I’m going and I just hope everything goes well for me.

“The other players who've been there before have been telling me that the serve matters a lot, I should be focused a lot and avoid getting distracted.”

Olivia Sherratt has focused her attention on things she thinks can make her a better player. The 16-year-old will be playing in the girls under-17 for the second year in a row.

“I’m hoping that this year I’ll win some matches and prove that all the training I've been doing has paid off,’’ she said.

“I didn't do too well last year, I've looked back and I definitely needed to be little bit more aggressive.

“I've now learnt to hit the ball harder and I've worked on my movement, hopefully, that will help me have more success with my matches this year.

“I still have two more years of going to Junior CASA. I’ll try my best to go for both my under-19 years so that I can help with the young girls on the team in a leadership role, and help them achieve their success.”

Neil Varwandkar is excited by the chance to make his debut at the championships. The 17-year-old is a student at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.

“It’s always a great opportunity to represent Bermuda in an international tournament,’’ Varwandkar said.

“I know it’ll be a tough draw since I’ll be unseeded, which means there’s a good chance I’ll play one of the top guys. It’s always good to get experience and challenge yourself.”

Micah Franklin, head of squash at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, is expecting a lot from this year’s group, the largest representation Bermuda has had.

“I’m really looking forward to this,’’ Franklin said. “We have the largest team we’ve ever sent with 20 juniors attending [12 boys and eight girls].

“Coach Anaya Smith and I have been hard at work preparing these juniors to the best of our abilities and we are feeling optimistic about their chances.

“The top two countries, Barbados and Guyana, always seem to have one up on us; however, this year I feel we have the ability in our squad to cause some upsets.

“I’ve set high expectations in them to give 100 per cent dedication and focus to each match they play. If they can consistently apply themselves, then I see no reason why we can’t return with silverware.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for making it possible to attend. We couldn’t have made it without them.

“Rest assured, these juniors will be representing Bermuda and all the sponsors to the best of their abilities.”