Territorians Jessica Osborne and Joseph White were delighted to be selected to represent Australia in the 2020 World University Games

TERRITORIANS Jessica Osborne and Joseph White were stoked to both be nominated to represent Australia in squash at the World University Games.

Darwin-raised squash players Joseph White and Jessica Osbornewere stoked to be nominated to represent Australia at the World University Games Picture: SUPPLIED

TERRITORIANS Jessica Osborne and Joseph White were stoked to both be nominated to represent Australia in squash at the World University Games.

The event, scheduled to take place in Shanghai this July, has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

But their nominations hint at the rising talent of the pair.

Osborne is a previous NT champion who plays on the Australian professional squash circuit, and has previously represented her country at both junior and university level.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science Honours at the University of Queensland.

“I was just so stoked to be nominated. I had an ankle operation last year so to be able to come back as strong as I did and be nominated is a huge honour,” Osborne told the NT News.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me, just so unfortunate that it coincided with this pandemic.

“Training-wise not having a court to play on has been tough but I found a wall to train against and I’m in contact with my coaches online.”

White is another previous NT champion based in the Czech Republic, where he plays in the European premium squash leagues, but he has returned to Darwin alongside Osborne during the pandemic.

He has also represented Australia at junior level, won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games and is currently the highest ranked Australian male player in the world rankings.

He is currently studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Sports Management at Deakin University.

“It was fantastic to be nominated. I’ve been nominated for the junior team in the past, so this was great,” White said.

“My goals going forward are to make the world men’s team for New Zealand next year and to go to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham the year after.

“At the moment though it’s a bit difficult to train without a court. I haven’t managed to do any squash-specific training but I have done a lot of physical preparation work.”

Both athletes were full of praise for the world-class squash facilities in Darwin with each citing them as among the best in Australia.