Kent squash players Dylan Roberts and Jude Gibbins, 14, set to play in European Junior Team Championships in The Netherlands
Published: 05:00, 12 May 2022
A Dartford pupil is set to compete in The Netherlands in a European squash tournament.
Dylan Roberts, 14, will play in the European Junior Team Championships in Eindhoven, with the competition starting today and running until Sunday.
Roberts will be joined by another 14-year-old Kent youngster in Jude Gibbins, who plays his squash at Beckenham Sports Club.
They will be involved in the under-15 category while England will also have an under-17s team.
It comes after Roberts and Gibbins - one and two nationally in their age group respectively - recently represented England alongside 12-year-old Renata Colabella - from The Parklangley Club - in the 5 Nations event in Warwickshire. The trio enjoyed success competing against Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France.
“Kent has a good squash set up so they do well in national and countywide competitions,” said Paul Roberts, father of Dartford Grammar School for Boys student and Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club player Dylan.
“It’s unusual to have numbers one and two from the same county but it’s great for Kent squash.”
He added: “I think there’s 26 teams from across Europe going. I think England will be seeded number one, although I’m not sure that’s been confirmed."
Dylan may only be 14 but has very much always been a sporty child.
His dad explained: “When he was three, he was playing tennis. Then, he moved to squash when he was about five or six.
“He plays a bit of cricket and athletics as well, but squash is five or six days a week.”
Playing in The Netherlands will mean Roberts and Gibbins miss a few days of school, but Paul says Dartford Grammar School For Boys are supportive of his son’s sporting commitments.
He added: “The school are great giving support - as long as he keeps up with his work!”
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