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SW area U11's teams (including Elise Bailey from Dorset (bottom row far left)) 

THE NORTH EAST DOMINATE THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

17 - 18 April – University of Birmingham, Solihull Arden SC + Coventry and North Warwickshire SC  

The North East region took the England Squash & Racketball Regional Team Championships by storm at the weekend claiming no fewer than four of the seven categories on offer and easing to the overall crown. 

The event was the conclusion to this seasons ESR regional programme and saw almost 300 of the country’s top junior players converge on the West Midlands to fight it out in Boys and Girls Under 13, 15 and 17 categories as well as Mixed Under 11’s.  Each team consisted of four players which lead to some extremely tight matches with victories being decided by the narrowest of margins.

The North East were in dominant form taking the Mixed Under 11’s, the Boy’s Under 13’s and both the Girl’s Under 15 and 17 titles.  Their Mixed Under 11 side were in a class of their own and only lost one string all weekend as they strolled to victory.  The Boy’s Under 13’s, lead by British Champion James Peach found it tougher and only claimed their final due to a superior game tally over the South West who had shown strength in depth winning at 3^rd and 4^th string.

Last season’s overall champions, London didn’t enjoy the return they had hoped for.  Despite picking up the Girls Under 13 title they slipped slightly to 3^rd spot in the overall table.

The South West looked to be favourites as the event kicked off and they did manage to reach four finals.  However luck was not on their side as they failed to convert any, narrowly losing the Girls Under 13 final to London on points count back - 93 to 96. 

The East had similar heartache against the East Midlands in the final of the Boys Under 15’s.  They fought back from 2 down to tie the match at 2 strings all – only to finish up on the losing side after points had been tallied up – 110 to 114!  East Midlands also took the Boys Under 17 title with Declan James and Oliver Holland making them a formidable force.

The Under 11 and 13 events were staged at the University of Birmingham’s Munrow Centre while Solihull Arden SC and Coventry and North Warwickshire SC hosted the Under 15 and Under 17 categories respectively.  The weekend was highly competitive and played in the true spirit of the game.  All ESR regional coaches and many development coaches were in attendance to oversee proceedings and witness the progress made during the season.

 The regional programme has been a huge success this season and all regions will be able to take something from the weekend.  West Midlands were delighted with their Under 11 team who took third place after being 8^th in 2009.  Their Regional Manager Amy Tilly commenting  ‘This is a huge testament to the hard work we've put into this age group in the West Midlands...surely one of the most improved results!!’ 

U11 Mixed team with Elise Bailey (second from the right)

Individual Champions

Under 11 Mixed:              North East
Girls Under 13                   London
Boys Under 13                   North East
Girls Under 15                   North East
Boys Under 15                   East Midlands
Girls Under 17                   North East
Boys Under 17                   East Midlands 

Overall Positions

Champions                         North East

Runners Up                        South West

3^rd Place                               London

4^th Place                               South East

5^th Place                               East Midlands

6^th Place                               East

7^th Place                               North West

8^th Place                               West Midlands