Junior Squash players raise the bar

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ nine -member team to the 2026 Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association Tournament, held at the Tortola Sports Club, entered the top three for the first time in the country’s history of participation.

With a tally of 16 points, the Vincentians were edged out by the Cayman Islands on 17 points, with Guyana topping the standings on 32 points.

In the process, St Vincent and the Grenadines upstaged Barbados- 14 points, and Trinidad and Tobago- 12 points.

The British Virgin Islands also had 14 points; Jamaica 13; Bermuda -12; and the Dominican Republic- 3.

Mainly responsible for St Vincent and the Grenadines’ podium finish was the win in the Boys Teams, another first for the tournament that dates back to 1981.

Apart from the Boys Teams title, via Jayden George and Zavin Garrick, St Vincent and the Grenadines was able to pouch the Boys Under-17 and Under-11 singles, respectively.

George and Aiden De Freitas took silver in the Doubles, with Savante Padmore taking the Boys Under-13 Plate; Aiden De Freitas the Boys Under-17 Plate; and Ethan Webster being the Boys Under-15 Consolation winner.

Also returning with accolades were Jaydon Williams in his farewell tournament, took third place in the Boys Under-19 singles.

An overwhelmed President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Squash Association Amber Glasgow, lauded their number three placement and Boys Team title as being “always in the making”.

“Our achievements are huge. Gratitude overwhelms the celebratory feeling. We should have placed higher and take the Boys title last year, but was not to be,” Glasgow stated.

“We have finished in the top three given the least resources…our Squash courts are among the worst in the region, if not the worst. We have the least number of coaches and the least number of volunteers available to the sport”, Glasgow pointed out.

She, however, expressed gratitude to the corporate entities and individuals who have placed their trust in the SVG Squash Association.

“Words cannot [express]that sense of gratitude for those who have been our support, thankfully the players continue repay them and by extension St Vincent and the Grenadine bringing that sense of national pride, that we are among the top Squash countries in the Caribbean.”

Glasgow said that while the boys are staking their claim, work is also in progress to get the girls more competitive.

Three girls- Ciara George, Naira Skye- John and Caeli George, were part of the team that travelled to the British Virgin Islands for the 2026 Junior CASA tournament.