England Under 19 squad named for Europeans

England Squash has announced the nine-strong squad that will compete at the European Team and Individual Under 19 Championships in the Czech Republic between 13-21 April.

Sam Todd, Elise Lazarus and Alice Green are amongst the exuberant nine selected and bring a wealth of major event experience having represented England at the World Junior Championships last year.

Boasting a number of British and National titles between them, the squad sealed their spots on the plane to Prague following stellar performances at the recent English Junior Championships and British Junior Open in which they excelled.

England will be looking to capitalise on last year’s championships in which they claimed the team title as well as gold, silver, bronze in the individuals.

National Junior Coach Lee Drew said:

“We are looking forward to another European Championships. The England contingent is an exciting balance of experienced players alongside those who are playing their first European Championship.

“It’s a very competitive group that will look to challenge in every category. It is also brilliant that there are strong challenges from other European nations in each of the events.”

Two-time British Junior Open champion Sam Todd headlines the boys’ challenge and he’ll be joined by Lewis Anderson, Ben Smith and Max Forster.

Todd, 16, said:

“It’s a fantastic achievement to be picked for the European Under 19 team at 16 and I’m really looking forward to representing England. I’m very excited to be playing in the individuals and can’t wait for another great experience.”

At 15-years-old, Katie Malliff, a three-time British National champion, is the youngest athlete in the squad and she’ll be joined by experienced players Elise Lazarus, Alice Green as well as Eve Coxon and Margot Prow in the girls’ individuals.

Todd, Anderson, Smith, Lazarus and Green will compete in the team event and will be striving to claim the team title for the tenth consecutive year.

Commenting on her selection, Lazarus, a six-time National champion said:

“I’m really happy to be part of Team England especially as it will be my last junior Europeans. It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to put on an England shirt and represent my country."

Reigning champions England have won the European Under 19 team title 32 out of 35 times since its inception in 1984.