THE Border girls U16 squash team returned victorious from the South African Schools Squash Interprovincial tournament in Bloemfontein, winning the title of SA champs.
The team also had a No1-ranked player at the tournament in Lara Patrick.
The Clarendon High School pupil who started playing squash in Grade 3, was ranked first in South African U16 Border Squash and should she be officially selected for the South African team, will attend the World Championships in Malaysia for a second time.
“SA Squash have not officially informed us of the national team tour to Malaysia, but last year’s tour was incredible and I was extremely proud to represent my country at the Penang Open in Malaysia,” Patrick said.
Fellow teammate and GHS Queenstown pupil Monique da Cruz, who started playing squash at the age of 10, is also up for selection for the SA team.
“It is thrilling to know all the hard work on court and behind the scenes is not going unnoticed. It is a great honour to represent my country, town and school. Thank you to all who have contributed to my success. All my squash competitors are so humble and friendly, making the sport all the more pleasant to play,” Da Cruz said.
The Border team beat the Free State in the final.The team only dropped one match out of the 40 played prior to the final.
On the way to winning the gold medal, the team won all their matches at the tournament.
“I love the competiveness of the game, the friendships built, always challenging myself to improve, having fun playing the game, winning and even losing, as one can get more out of losing than winning sometimes,” Patrick said.
