Five Junior County Squash Champions and four Runners-up from Windscale Squash Junior Academy! The remotest town in England, Egremont is once again proving itself a powerhouse in the pursuit of excellence in this sport as in other fields of activity.
Champions of their age group, Megan Singleton, Girls Under 13, Jessica Winder, Girls Under 15, Bradley Frain, Boys Under 11, Michael Hobbs, Boys Under 13, and Liam Barrett, Boys Under 19, the Runners-up Hannah Crichton, Lara Cooper, Jackson Holliday, and Joe Money, and Plate winner, Luisa Mc Gregor are "the flag bearers at the club for the many other junior players wanting to emulate their success, and with more quality practice and dedication, the conveyor belt of Windscale Academy junior talent will continue to thrive," declares John Crichton, who has just received the news that he has achieved his Level 2 coaching licence, in the footsteps of head coach, Linda Winder, who has received her Level 3 coaching licence, following her extended study and practical tests at Manchester during the spring and summer. Linda and John and many other coaches and assistants are, through their time and patience, bringing the game to an even bigger group of aspiring players, encouraging them to believe that such things are possible for them, too.
The message is, do not flinch from matching yourself with the best. Jessica, Hannah and Lara were pushed to their limit in the Birmingham Grand Prix, an England Squash invitation only event, for those ranked high enough in the national rankings, and all improved their rankings, finishing 11th, 27th and 29th respectively.
The work of the club is supported by the North West Development Agency through Egremont Regeneration Partnership, whose manager, Simon Walker, was busy sharpening his own game when we called.

Inset, Hannah Crichton, Owen Barrett, Adam Pearson and Michael Hobbs, eagerly respond to Head Coach, Linda Winder, who was runner-up to American Champion Ellie Pearce in the British Grand Prix last year.