Dutch treat for Franklin

Teenage squash star Micah Franklin is headed to Holland to pursue his pro dream.

The talented 18-year-old will spend three months training with the Dutch national team before deciding if he has the talent to play at the world level.

He proved with his win against the experienced Tommy Sherratt in the final of last weekend’s Rubis Energy Bermuda Handicap Tournament he is on the cusp of being one of Bermuda’s best players.

Following the victory Franklin said: “This is a big win for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever beaten Tommy (Sherratt) in competition.

“I’ve been training really hard, both on the court and in the gym, and I feel it’s beginning to pay off. I was able to keep up the pressure and never felt tired even though it was a tough match for both of us.”

Franklin is taking a gap year after completing his school studies, and he  plans to see if he can make the grade onto the professional squash circuit, following in the footsteps of Nick Kyme who played professionally and reached the top 60 in the world rankings. 

Franklin said: “Earlier this year I spent two weeks at a training camp in Philadelphia with former World #1, John White. Now I’m planning on going to Holland for an intensive three months training with the Dutch National Team. I’m going there to give it 100 per cent effort in hopes of turning professional if I can raise my game to that level.

Franklin knows what it takes to climb up the squash rankings.

He took up squash at the age of 10 while attending Montesorri School next door to the Devonshire courts, and he visited the squash club at every available opportunity, even when he had no-one else to play against. 

Even at that young age he enjoyed going on court and practicing by himself just to improve his racket skills. Fortunately for Franklin he was one of a group of highly competitive players in the Junior Squash Programme, including Chris Stout, Noah Browne, Korin Knights and Christian Muldoon, but he readily admits that for several years he was the weakest member.

It was through sheer hard work and dedication that he broke through and recently emerged as the strongest in his group, winning the Caribbean Under 17 title in 2009. He is currently ranked #2 in Caribbean Juniors (Under 19’s) with one year left in his junior career.

Patrick Foster, director of squash, said: “Micah showed us in August how much he’s improved when, as one of two juniors in our victorious Men’s Senior Team competing in the CASA Championship held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Winner

“He was the only player to win every match in Team competition. We could see him gaining in experience and confidence with each match. 

“Over the past year he’s shown an outstanding attitude towards training;  he listens and takes advice, and he’s come on in leaps and bounds.”

Franklin credits his coaches at the BSRA for his success, starting with Gary Plumstead when he first stepped on court, and more recently Foster and national team coach, Denise Somers. He said: “They’ve taught me all the fundamentals of the game from shot making to mental attitude and they’ve kept me grounded. 

“Denise has arranged for me to have this opportunity to train with the Dutch National Team and I know it’s going to be hard work.

Training hard

“I also know it’s up to me to train hard and practice hard. Now I have to put in the effort to be the best I can be. And that’s my goal; to be the best I can be,”

Franklin has spent the summer as an assistant at the BSRA working with juniors, and he has a clear message for anyone wanting to succeed in squash or in any other sport.

“If you want to excel you’ve got to give it 100 per cent and nothing less.  Put in the time and the training and you can reach your goals. I’m excited to have been given this chance to prove myself, and I’m grateful to my parents for all their support.”