Athletes vie for rankings

The State’s ranked number one and two players Matthew Bridle and Josh Fiorentino from Belmont Squashworks will play in the under-19s alongside Dayne Gruenthal from South Perth, with the hope of boosting their seventh and 16th national ranking respectively. Nineteen-year-old Josh has competed in the championships every year since 2007 and said this year his focus would be on cracking the top 10.

‘When I first started I used to be very low, I’d come in the bottom half every year but last year I cracked the top 20,’ Josh said.

‘I’m trying to aim for the top 10 but if I don’t get it I won’t be too disappointed.’

Josh said squash was a great sport, combining both physical and mental abilities.

‘Whether you play competitively or recreationally it’s a great work out; you burn a lot of calories if that’s what you’re after,’ he said.

‘Lots of players are at the courts so there is always someone to play even if you’re not a member of a club.’