Junior Squash titles secured

The 2010 version of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Junior Squash Championships concluded last Saturday, March 13, with several new names emerging as talents ready for harnessing.{{more}}

And new Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, Senator Cecil “Ces” Mc Kie, has urged the budding stars to think big and set high goals for themselves.

McKie, who was speaking at the National Lotteries Authority Squash Complex, challenged the young Squash players, many of them relatively new to the sport, to strive to beat the current top local players.

The Junior Minister encouraged them to play sport, and noted that according to research, this activity assists with their academics.

Mc Kie was speaking at the closing ceremony of the championships, and he assisted with the distribution of the trophies and medals.

Also lending governmental support was senior minister in that Ministry, Mike Browne, who encouraged the young Squash players to continue at their craft, as he mentioned the successes of the Chinese sportsmen and women, who begin at tender ages.

With competition in the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced categories, the cream rose to the top and were justly rewarded.

Topping the category in the Boys Senior division was seasoned player Jules Snagg. Playing second fiddle to Snagg was Kevin Hannaway. In the Girls’ segment among the seniors, Demi Ollivierre stopped Gianna Miller in the Final to reign at the top. Ollivierre also captured the Best Sportsperson award.

Jason Doyle secured the Boys Advanced, leaving behind Sebastian Cyrus as runner up, and Storm Halbich in third place.

Akeem Constance won the Intermediate Boys title and was also adjudged the Most Improved Player. Kai Bentick had to settle for the second spot, and Rashid Constance, the third position.

There was also a category for the starters. Stepping up to take the winner’s trophy was Thandi Myers for the girls. Myers was followed by her sister Deiriai Myers in the second position. Taking the third spot was Lucy Ann Ross.

Among the boys starters, the champion was Akinsanya De Freitas. Brad Pitt came in second, and Collin Franklyn docked in third.

These players are expected to feature highly when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines squad is named for the 2010 OECS Junior Squash Tournament.

President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Squash Association, Sherian Slater, remarked that the Association is once again with a feeder of young players, as was evident by their participation in the championships.

This, she said, hampered the staging of more Junior championships in the recent past. (RT)