England name squad for 2025 European U19 Championships in Prague

England Squash has selected its squad for the upcoming 2025 ESF European U19 Individual and Mixed Team Squash Championships in Prague.

The Team event, which runs from 17-20 April, has undergone a significant change this year, with each team now comprising two boys and two girls. This adjustment is a crucial step towards promoting gender equality across the game, ensuring that both boys and girls have equal opportunities to shine on the international stage.

Six players will compete in the Team competition, with a further four competing in the preceding individual event from 12-15 April.

Building on last year’s success - where England secured both the boys' and girls' titles and claimed silver in the team event - the team will be aiming for another strong stellar performance.

The 2025 squad is:

Alex Broadbridge (Hants) – BU19 English Junior Championship winner in February and runner-up at November's British Junior Championships

Dylan Roberts (Kent) – BU19 bronze medal winner at the English Junior Championships and runner-up at the Manchester Junior Open Gold event in December

Ismail Khalil (Warwicks) – BU19 winner of January's Gloucester Junior Open Silver event and Dutch Junior Open semi-finalist last summer

Mariam Eissa (Warwicks) - Winner of the British and English GU19 titles and finished 11th in the British Junior Open GU17 draw, at the age of just 15

Olivia Owens (Worcs) – GU19 Bronze medallist at the English Junior Championships and winner at the Manchester Junior Open Gold

Emily Coulcher-Porter (Bucks) – Former GU17 British junior champion and 2023 England Squash Rising Star who is currently 8^th in the European top 10 rankings

Ronnie Hickling (Surrey) – BU17 British and BU19 English Junior Championship runner-up despite some injuries earlier in the season (Individual event only)

Reka Kemecsei (Sussex) - Ranked no.4 in England and won a silver medal in the GU19 category at December’s Manchester Junior Open Gold (Individual event only)

Jake Sim-Baskar (Sussex) - Finished in fifth place in the BU19 category at the recent English Junior Championships (Individual event only)

Megan Light (Hants) - Played all five selections events and finished fourth in the GU19 age group at the English Junior Championships (Individual event only)

Broadbridge said of his selection:

"As European no.1, I'm looking forward to competing in the individual event in Prague, but most of all I want to help get the team trophy back in England's hands."

Eissa commented:

"I can't wait to go to Prague for the European individual and team events. It's a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best players in Europe and I know the team is particularly keen to regain the team title after the defeat to France last year."

England's selection criteria for this year is based on players' Road to Selection points earned at selection events, as well as assessments of their commitment and behaviour by England Development Head Coach Tim Vail and Junior Talent Pathway Manager Lucy Townley.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Vail said:

“We're very confident in the squad selected for the European U19 Individual and Team Championships in Prague. With our inclusive selection criteria ensuring equal opportunities for girls and boys, we’re especially eager to reclaim the team title from France. Squad performances in training and Road to Selection events have been strong, and we’re ready for the battle ahead.”

For details on the 2025 ESF European U19 Squash Championships, visit the official European Squash Federation website.