Carrick To Return For National Championships
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Taylor Carrick will return to the island from his studies in Canada in a bid to win his first men’s title in the Gnosis National Squash Championships at the Devonshire courts next month.
The 21-year-old, who studies at the University of Western Ontario, faces a formidable challenge in the form of Noah Browne, the defending champion, Micah Franklin and Nick Kyme, both multiple winners, and talented junior Anaya Smith.
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Eilidh Franklin, who won the Bermuda Squash and Racquets Association Club Championships in December, and Susie Howells are among the title contenders.
It is unclear whether Emma Keane, the defending champion, and Rachel Barnes, both based in the UK, will return for the championships, which run from March 6 to 10.
Micah Franklin, the Bermuda Squash and Racquets Association head of squash, believes the younger players such as Carrick and Smith, coupled with the experience of seasoned players like Kyme, Browne and himself, will make for compelling competition.
“Ideally, you want the National Championships to have the strongest field possible,” Franklin told Bernews. “To have any of our international players returning is great news.
“The National Championships determines your international ranking, so having most of your players playing is always advantageous.
“We have a good mix of the young guys, like Taylor and Anaya, who are both 21, players fresh out of the pro circuit in Noah and myself, and Nick [41, also a former pro] who will look to fend off the young guys for as long as possible.
“It will be intriguing to see these up-and-comers take on the likes of Nick, Noah and myself.”
Despite juggling his duties as head of squash with playing, Franklin is confident he can challenge for top honours.
“I’m playing quite well at the moment,” he added. “Watching Emma [Keane] compete at the Commonwealth Games last summer [in Birmingham] lit a fire in me to keep training.
“It reminded me I still have time to improve. I’m not training how I used to, but I’m still looking to improve my game.”
