NZ Junior Trans-Tasman Test Series Team Named

The team for the trans-Tasman Junior Test Series has been confirmed with a wide variety of players selected from around the country.

Players will compete in the 2022 Oceania Junior Championships and the Trans-Tasman Junior Test Series held at Thornleigh Squash Club, Sydney, with the tournament 17-19 and the test series 20-21 December.

The previous scheduled event was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19, prior to that New Zealand had dominated the last few competitions between the nations.

A number of the team excelled at the national age group champs in Wellington last month while three players: Ella Lash, Anne Leakey and Paul Moran all competed at World Junior Champs in France earlier this year.

At least half of the team are new to the trans-Tasman competition including Scott Butterick, Charlie Prince, Chris Hebberd, Maximus Matthews, Brodie Bennett, Ashlee Pepper, Martha Toghill, Ella Hill, Moriya Karati, Zoe Lepper and Maiya Hatham.

The team tournament and individual championship are of extra importance this year as preparation for the world junior girls championships to be held next year.

Other features of the team are the new players and representation from the South Island as well as the men’s and women’s coaches, Evan Williams from Wellington and the Waikato’s Emma Millar, both recent ex professional players.

Several players were unavailable for selection due to competing at the US Open and Canadian Juniors.                                                                                    

2022 Oceania Junior Championships is being held Saturday 17th December - Monday 19th December 2022. Junior Test Series Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st December 2022.

Management team
Emma Millar (Coach – Waikato)
Evan Williams (Coach – Wellington)
Clinton Bennett (Manager – Central)
Tyler Duberly (Manager – Auckland)

Under 19 boys
Paul Moran (Canterbury)
Scott Butterick (Canterbury)

Under 17 boys
Chris Hebberd (Canterbury)
Charlie Prince (Canterbury)

Under 15 boys
Maximus Matthews (Central)
Brodie Bennett (Central)

Under 19 girls
Ella Lash (Auckland)
Anne Leakey (Auckland)
Ashlee Pepper (Auckland)
Martha Toghill (Otago)

Under 17 girls
Ella Hill (BOP)
Moriya Karati (Canterbury)

Under 15 girls 
Zoe Lepper (Auckland)
Maiya Hotham (BOP)