Andy D’Alessandro, club coach writes:
Boys U15 National Schools Team
The boys U15 national schools team have had their first term together. Hopefully it’s the first of many. As a new team in every sense of the word (bar Malik the streetwise and robust senior team player that he is) they found it difficult in the 1st round of the competition. All the boys played exceptionally well. Up against some strong opponents they were unable to win their fixtures and are now in the plate.
A big well done to the boys as they stepped up to the plate with very little experience and got on with the job at hand. It’s not about the winning here it’s about the great attitude that each of the boys brought to the party. Having lost all their matches, far from giving up, they have doubled their attendance and court bookings this term and are trying harder than they did before! (Editor: Mens Teams take note!). That to me is the what it is all about.
So to Malik Bilen, Joe Wheeler, Jin-Woo Hill, Frederique DeLasayette and Ethan Davy a big thank you and well done from me, the school and the club for such an amazing attitude.
Boys U13 National Schools Team
The boys U13 team are faring a little better having won their ties this far with 2 left to go are looking good to go through to the next round. Fingers crossed!
Again a good attitude from each of the players has seen them strengthen their resolve to improve with extra training. We are very pleased to be able to help this new batch of players (one of many from Comberton) on their way. We wish them well in the next round.
Teens in the Teams
I have also had the pleasure of seeing many of our juniors in action for the senior teams recently. And it was fantastic!
Casey Miller played exceptionally well in a ladies team match at Comberton against Hunts County. She played an opponent that had achieved county status before Casey even started playing squash. That evening Casey played simple tactics and demonstrated a strong mental attitude to best her opponent.
Ellis Miller in a similar fashion played for the men’s second team. Virtually the whole team went to 2-2 that evening and it was quite an night because of it. Ellis in the last interval looked dejected and very much up against it. Just a smoke screen? After going back on and within 2 mins Ellis was 8-1 up playing with a winners mind set of ‘positive play without error’. Her attacking, positive play got the whole balcony enthused, opposition and all. She ran out a great 3-2 win that night. Grit and determination saw to that (and not a little skill!). Sadly it was the only win of the evening.
Similarly Malik Bilen, Bertie Elmes, Dominic Fox, Emma and Millie Banks and Maya Helin have put together notable performances for their teams (more about that in my next blog) showing the incredible rate of learning from these youngsters.
Well done to each of these young folk.
They are a credit to us all.
