Double for Gosforth's Girls at 2025 National School Squash Championships

The girls of Gosforth Academy took home two titles and a third-place finish from a hugely successful 2025 National Schools Squash Championships at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham.

The 51st edition of the event began on Tuesday (11 March) with the Mixed competitions, which were introduced last year for Key Stage 5 only and expanded this year to include K3 and K4 too.

One of the highlights of day one was Hastings High School's victory in the Mixed KS3 Championship. Three of Hastings High's four players live in the same house; twins Oscar and Finley Brown (the England BU13 nos.1 and 2) and their sister Grace (England GU15 no.11).

The siblings all won both of their matches for the Hinkley-based school in straight games, with team-mate Avo Blount recording one win and one defeat. Gosforth Trust finished second, with Bennett Memorial third. Arden Academy won the Plate.

Harriet Broadbridge, the GU17 British and English Junior champion, led Portsmouth Grammar to victory in the KS4 Mixed Championship over runners-up Felsted School A and bronze medallists Lincoln Minster. The KS4 Mixed Plate was won by Brentwood.

Peter Symonds College in Winchester took home the KS5 Mixed Championship trophy with four victories from four, edging out Taunton School and Rainford High, with Bristol Grammar winning the Plate. Gary Hinton, squash coach at Peter Symonds, said:

"We've come close before, but this is the first time we've won it. It's massive. Let's hope there are many more to come!"

Wednesday saw the KS3 pupils take centre stage and Harrow School won the Boys' Championship, beating Elizabeth College 13-3 in the final, with Shelley College narrowly overcoming Sir Thomas Rich's 11-4 in the third-place play-off. South Hunsley School won the Plate.

The KS3 Girls' Championship was claimed by Gosforth Academy, whose team contained most of the same players who won the title last year for Gosforth Trust. They resoundingly beat Benenden School A 10-0 in the final. Bournemouth School for Girls claimed bronze and Sevenoaks won the Plate competition.

Triumphant Gosforth Academy coach Richard Vitty said:

"We are incredibly proud of them. They're a brilliant bunch of girls. It's just been a fantastic experience for them and will be something they remember well into their adult lives."

Kenilworth School won the KS4 Girls' Championship - and were cheered on by their former pupil Sarah Jane Perry! The former world no.5 watched as the Warwickshire pupils toppled Sevenoaks 11-4, with Gosforth Academy clinching bronze, while Benenden won the Plate.

"Sarah Jane only ever finished as runner-up when she played for Kenilworth School, so these girls are already one up on her!" joked teacher Paul Flowers. "This is the first time the school has won the national title so this is testament to their commitment."

St Aidan's CoE High School from Harrogate beat perennial winners Epsom College and Wycliffe 3-2, as well as Berkhamsted 5-0, in Thursday's KS4 Boys' Championship to claim their first ever National Schools title. Abingdon won the plate.

Friday's KS5 Boys' Championship final was a heavyweight clash between defending champions Wycliffe and 2023 winners Epsom College. Victories for Maltese player Julian Scerri and brothers Owen and Harry Bloomfield in the lower order earned Wycliffe a 3-2 victory, with Epsom's top order of Luke McBride and British Junior Championship runner-up Ronnie Hickling recording consolation wins. King's College Taunton won the Boys' KS5 plate.

Wycliffe head coach Jonny Harford said:

"The final has got to be up there with the highest level of squash I've watched in the National School Finals. Both teams have some really high quality players from positions one to five and are a credit to their schools."

Gosforth Academy won a second girls' title in the KS5 Championship as Ava and Kate Naisbitt, Rebecca Little and Katherine Palmer all won in straight games en route to a 4-1 victory over Epsom College.

For full results from the 2024/25 championships, visit Sport Manager.