EMMA BARTLEY, from the Colchester Off The Wall Squash Academy, has been called up to represent England this weekend in a five-nations international event at Lilleshall.
Emma, aged just 11, will compete against France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the under-13 event which will feature many of the top junior players in Europe.
Lauren Selby, Emma’s coach at the OTWS Academy, is tipping the Bury St Edmunds schoolgirl to rise to the challenge, despite the pressure of representing her country. “I have been coaching Emma individually from the age of six and her progress and devotion to her squash game has been remarkable,” said Lauren.
“She’s is excited to get the England call, but she won’t be phased by it. She seems to take everything in her stride and sees it as an opportunity, not pressure.”
Emma, a former national under-11 champion, warmed up for the Five-Nations match finishing runner up in last weekend’s England Squash Silver event at Ipswich.