Top Level Junior Squash In Manchester This Weekend

England Squash will present top level junior squash in Manchester this weekend when the British Under 17/13 Championships take place at the National Squash Centre. The event will see the top juniors from around the country converging on Sportcity in search of a coveted National title.

Top seeds in the Boys' Under 17 event are Joe Lee (Surrey) and Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire). Joe will be looking to avenge his defeat to Adrian in the 2004 British Under 15 final and claim his first National title. The Girls' Under 17 category is headed by former U13 Champion Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) and Victoria Bell (Cumbria). However they are likely to be pushed all the way by two-times British Under 15 Champion Natalie Pritchard (Wales) starting as the No3 seed.

James Earles (Yorkshire) will start as hot favourite to claim the Boys' Under 13 title, with David Wardle (Surrey) the No2 seed. The Girls' Under 13 event is set to be highly competitive, with Sophie Lemom (Essex) and Lucy Townley (Cheshire) seeded to meet in Sunday's final.

"The event has attracted over 170 entrants in total and the National Squash Centre, complete with its state-of-the-art all-glass court, will provide the ideal setting for one of England Squash's premier events," commented Chris Nutley, Competition & Events Manager.

"As part of England Squash's commitment to creating a safe and child-friendly environment in which young people can play squash, we have a close relationship with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. NSPCC has been chosen as our nominated charity for our national junior events this year - a proportion from each entry fee for these events will be donated to NSPCC, in recognition of its unique and vital contribution to child protection," added Nutley.

Last season's Championships were full of drama with No1 seed Chris Tasker-Grindley (Gloucestershire) requiring an hour's injury break during his semi-final against James Snell (Devon). After it looked like Chris's dream had ended he returned to court with a heavily-strapped ankle and not only hung on to win his semi but went on to claim his first National title with a commanding and comprehensive 3-0 victory over No2 seed Tom Pashley (Sussex).

Deon Saffery (Yorkshire) put on the display of her junior career so far to overcome the hot favourite Rachel Willmott (Sussex) to claim the Girls' Under 17 title. Rachel was looking for her 7th National title but Deon proved too strong on the day and took a competitive match 3-1.

The Under 13 events were won by Nicholas Hopcroft (Surrey) and Millie Tomlinson (Derbyshire). Nicholas Hopcroft defeated his county colleague and No1 seed Charles Sharpes while Mille Tomlinson also defeated the No1 seed, Harriet Ingham (Surrey).

The event runs from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October at The National Squash Centre in Manchester and any spectators will be welcomed free of charge.