THE next generation stole the show at the 2025 Nambucca Squash Championships, with juniors claiming six of the eight titles on offer – including both the men’s and women’s A-grade crowns.
Seventeen-year-old Jayden Sparks delivered a breakout performance, outlasting last year’s finalist Jackson Lindsay in a gruelling four-set decider to secure the men’s A grade.
Sparks also completed the double with victory in the Boys’ Junior A Grade.
Club president and former national coach Grant Gough said Sparks’ surge through the ranks had been remarkable.
“Jayden has really bloomed this year – his progress has been phenomenal,” Gough said.
“Jackson played very well but Jayden was very composed, hitting good lengths and retrieving virtually every ball hit at him.”
It proved a memorable family day for the Sparks clan, with Jayden’s father Trevor Sparks clinching the men’s B Grade title with a 3-1 win over Drew Woodhouse.
In the women’s A grade, 14-year-old Jaida Wigley produced a composed, power-hitting display to defeat Kristy O’Connor in straight games.
Wigley then capped her dominant campaign by adding the Junior Girls title with victory over Jillian Gibson.
Rising star Madi Williams continued the youth theme, edging out Chloe O’Connor in a tight Girls’ Sub-Junior final, while the women’s C Grade was an all-junior affair – Taylor Woodhouse prevailing over Williams.
In the men’s C Grade, Jash Veerpal proved too sharp and too fast for club legend Peter Budd.
Gough said the junior success underlined the health of the sport in the valley and urged locals to get involved.
“A lot of people have squash rackets tucked away in the garage – we encourage them to dust them off and come down and enjoy the game,” he said.
“We’ve got a great junior following, epitomised by the fantastic results in the club championships, and we’ll use this as a catalyst to grow the game in the valley.
“Next week we have doubles, which is always good fun, come down and get involved,” Gough said.
By David WIGLEY
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