BILLY BEECROFT was this week enjoying a double celebration after winning the Northumbria Open Silver event and being called into the England squad.
The Colchester Off The Wal Squash Academy player, currently ranked six in the England Under-15s, was second seed in the Newcastle event and received a bye in the first round before powering past his first opponent Daniel Wells 3-0.
Billy, who has been mentored by Essex and Off-the-Wall-Squash coach Lauren Selby for two years, maintained his dominant form to take out Keane Appleton with another 3-0 scoreline. That set up a Sunday morning semi-final against Richard (Ricardo ) Hall, always a tough opponent. Fortunately, Billy came through with a 3-1 win booking a final spot against Manchester’s Oscar Beach.
Oscar was in hot form blitzing through the early rounds in confident style. But Billy, the current Essex Junior Open champion, had his eyes on the trophy and came through with another superb 3-0 win.
Coach Lauren Selby was thrilled with Billy’s success. “He has matured so much over the past year and become a much better player,” she said. “Billy was always capable of good performances but his attitude sometimes let him down. We have worked on that over the past 12 months and we are beginning to see the results. He is showing a lot more maturity and focus.
“His efforts and potential have also been noted by England squash and Billy has been invited to join their squads. He deserves the call up, but I know there is a lot more to come from him.”
Billy, who is not 15 until March, is now focusing on the National Championships in Manchester in October where he should be seeded in the top eight.