James Hamilton
IT IS a tale of sporting success with racquets that has a familiar ring to it.
Squash playing sisters Orla and Jemma Young are taking the competitive circuit by storm and are tipped to go to the very top in similar style to tennis brothers Andy and Jamie Murray.
Orla, 14, and Jemma, 12, of Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, have collected a considerable trophy haul as they aim to emulate world tennis No1 Andy and top 10 doubles player brother Jamie in their chosen sport.
Orla has just been ranked No1 in Europe in the under-15 category – an achievement all the more noteworthy as she has only just turned 14.
The girls, who attend Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow, have been playing since they were both four.
Orla said: “When I’m older I want to turn professional and I would love to play in the Commonwealth Games.
“Squash isn’t appreciated enough.
“It is a very skilful game yet it’s not even in the next Olympics. I’d love to be as good at squash as Andy and Jamie Murray are at tennis and raise the profile of squash.”
The ambitious teenager shares her goal with sister Jemma, who recently came fourth in the Danish Junior Open, which attracts talented players from all over the world.
Jemma said: “I train five times a week but I really like playing competitions because you get to play lots of different players from around the world and I get a good game.
“I’ve already played for Scotland and I would really love to continue playing for my country.”
Coach Peter O’Hara, a former internationalist himself, said: “We have two very talented sisters who I have no doubt could make the international circuit and rank high in the world rankings – they just need the funding.
“They could really lift the profile of squash.”
The girls juggle their training commitments with school work. It can be tricky to fit it all in around their training but Orla says “good planning” means she gets her studying done in time.
Mother Brenda said: “The girls are very lucky that the school supports their squash endeavours and are very accommodating when the girls have to take the occasional day off if they are competing abroad.”
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