Youngsters celebrate national success at Under 11 Championships

Alexander Broadbridge and Charlie McCrone won the English Under 11 Championships trophies in Sheffield

Youngsters Alexander Broadbridge and Charlie McCrone had a day to remember as they became national squash champions at just ten years of age.

The schoolchildren claimed the boys’ and girls’ titles at the English U11 Championships in Sheffield with dominant 3-0 final wins, beating the finest competition from around the country.

Alexander, of Hampshire, who was seeded 3/4 for the event, faced a surprise opponent in the final in the form of nine-year-old Dylan Roberts, 10, seeded as a 17/32 outsider for the title. Dylan had defeated the tournament favourite Harry Bloomfield, of Gloucestershire, 11/8, 11/5, 11/9 before battling past 3/4 seed Jake Sim-Basker in the semi-finals, winning 11/9, 10/12, 11/2, 11/9.

Alexander, ranked No.2 in the country, ultimately proved too strong for Dylan, sealing the win with a 11/6, 11/8, 11/6 scoreline to take home the trophy.

View the full results from Under 11 Championships here

Chris Robertson, England Squash Head of Player Development, was encouraged by the quality on show at the weekend. He said: “Alex played a mature game, he hit a lot of volleys and moved the ball around the court. He was very good tactically.

“Dylan did very well and deserves a mention because he beat the number one seed and a 3/4 to get to the final.”

The tournament was held at Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club on Saturday and Sunday with 52 children competing for the top prizes.

England No.1 U11 Charlie McCrone, of Lancashire, stormed her way to the title without dropping a single game, comfortably beating Renitha Srindran, of Essex, 11/2, 12/10, 11/4 in the final.

Chris Robertson added: “Both winners deserve a special mention. They played and behaved well and enjoyed themselves. They have a bright future."