FNQ juniors to take on pros at Cairns Squash International

The Far North’s burgeoning squash stars will take on their toughest challenge yet when they test themselves against some of the world’s best adult players at the Cairns Squash International.

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The Far North’s burgeoning squash stars will take on their toughest challenge yet when they test themselves against some of the world’s best adult players at the Cairns Squash International.

Cairns teenagers Joshua Penfold, Kurstyn Mather, Sophie Fadaely and Joshua Porter will compete at the annual tournament, to be held at Sportsworld Fitness Centre from Thursday to Sunday.

Cairns will host the Cairns Squash International from Thursday to Sunday. Local players Sophie Fadaely, 15, Steven Finitsis, Josh Penfold, 17, Josh Porter, 14, and Kurstyn Mather will take on players from Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong at the tournament. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

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Fadaely said the four youngsters had been training hard in the lead-up to the event and were primed for their first taste of professional play.

“We’ve all been doing running in the morning and gym sessions,” she said.

“We’ve added things in and we’re not just training on the court, but off the court as well.”

The 15-year-old said she wanted to get as much experience as possible out of the tournament.

“We haven’t really got to experience this kind of level of play before,” she said.

“It’ll be good, even if we’re not expected to win.

“If we want to become pros when we’re older, it’s good to see what level they’re at, compared to us.

“I’ve never played anyone from other countries, so I’m also looking forward to that.”

The junior contingent will compete alongside their coach and Innisfail squash legend Steve Finitsis.

A former Top 50 world-ranked player, Finitsis will be looking to best his efforts from last year’s tournament, which saw him bow out in the semi-finals.

He is coming off a successful campaign at the Australian Masters Squash Championships, held on the Gold Coast in September, where he took out the Men’s Open 35-39 division.

Finitsis’ coaching partner Marc Forster said this year would feature one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history, with international players coming from as far as India, Iran, Malta and Japan to compete for a share of the $15,000 prize pool.

He said it would also be the first time squash “powerhouse” Egypt made the trip to Tropical North Queensland.

“I’ve never seen the entries as diverse as this year,” he said.

“It’s such a good quality international field.”

The women’s event will feature Hong Kong’s Vanessa Chu as the top seed and Australian Jessica Turnbull as the second seed, with both women looking to take home a maiden Cairns Squash International crown.

In the men’s draw, New Zealand’s Evan Williams will be chasing his third title at the event.

Originally published as FNQ juniors to take on pros at Cairns Squash International