Bermuda wins Caribbean squash title

The island’s success at the Caribbean Squash Championships in St. Vincent last week is testament to Bermuda Squash Racquets Association’s thriving youth programme.

Youngsters such as Robert Maycock, Chris Stout and Micah Franklin came into their own, playing with a maturity belying their tender years.

Fourth seed Franklin emerged as the biggest surprise in St. Vincent and remained unbeaten in the team competition, which Bermuda won after thumping the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States 4-1 in the final.

Franklin said: “Over the past year I have really been working hard to improve my game. As a junior I wanted to push into the senior level and start playing adults and this year I have really proven myself.

“This tournament was a big improvement in my game. I took out some really big guys.

“Next year I am going to try again to improve.”

Bermuda’s performance surpassed all expectations, including those of squash spokesman Roger Sherratt.

He said: “They were really outstanding.

“We are a little surprised they won the tournament.

“It’s a surprise because we took some juniors who performed so very well.

“They pulled together as a team and Micah Franklin, who was the fourth seed, was completely unbeaten throughout the whole team competition.

“Chris Stout lost one game and so did Robert Maycock, so the juniors on the team really pulled together very well.

“You’ve got to have a team with depth to win the championship and these young lads certainly proved they are up to the task.

“It was a very outstanding win for Bermuda and it says a lot for our junior squash programme.”

Sherratt believes the island’s success in St. Vincent will inspire other youngsters to strive for excellence on court.

He said: “It gives all of our youngsters a feeling that if they really work at it they can aspire to be very good squash players.

“Youngsters coming into squash can aspire to be some of the best players in the Caribbean. You want to judge yourself by those above you and try to do as well as them or better.”

Top seed Patrick Foster, who finished third in the individual competition in St. Vincent, also endorsed Bermuda Squash Racquets Association’s junior programme.

He said: “We have a large junior programme with a lot of kids playing and it’s always nice to get some silverware and give everybody a lift.

“Our junior teams have done very well this summer, as well as over the years, so for the whole club and squash in Bermuda this is a nice little lift.