Lydia Robinson tops 2019 England rankings
Beverley Squash Club Junior Lydia Robinson tops 2019 England rankings!
Beverley squash club junior Lydia Robinson sits top of the latest English girls’ under 17 rankings. Out of seven tournaments last year, Lydia took five podium positions and one victory following an excellent season on the junior circuit. She also finished in the top half of the British Junior Open in both 2018 and 2019, arguably the most prestigious tournament in global junior squash.
Lydia has benefitted from TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) support, a national scheme funded by Sport England to develop the next generation of elite athletes. Through local coach and former professional player Adam Toes, Lydia also receives TALCS support to access local sports facilities. This support highlights East Riding Council’s commitment to build on Yorkshire’s strong sporting history, boasting athletes such as Nick Matthew, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Adam Peaty.
Lydia is coached by Hull University and England Squash coach Andy Cockerill and Beverley’s no.1 player and former England junior international George Bannister, as well as her squash-playing brothers. In 2018, Lydia was invited to join the England Development Squad, overseen by England squash’s elite coaching team in Manchester. Lydia has previously won the English U13 and U15 national titles, edging both finals by a narrow 3-2 scoreline, and represented England in the 5 Nations tournament at U13 and U15, with convincing individual and team victories on both occasions.
In the past couple of months Lydia experienced her first taste of international competition abroad, performing strongly in both the US Open and Scottish Open. In her final few months at U17 level Lydia has her sights set on winning the English National title in March, held between Hull and East Riding Sports Club, Haltemprice Leisure Centre and the University of Hull.
Beverley Squash Club have been proud to support Lydia and other junior players starting at an earlier age with coach Ian Taylor on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings – also on offer are a ladies ‘get fit’ and ‘have fun’ squash session which all take place at the cricket ground at Norwood Park – more details can be found on the Beverley squash & racketball club website or by contacting Ian Taylor (tel. 07932 741 936)