JAMAICA’S team to the 2013 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships received a timely $400,000 boost from restaurant franchise Burger King during yesterday’s squad announcement at the Liguanea Club.
The Jamaicans, coached by Canadian Rene Denis, depart tomorrow for the July 22-28 tournament in Trinidad & Tobago.A total of eight teams, including eight-time reigning overall champions Guyana, are set to participate in the competition, which is regarded as an integral stepping stone for young players.The tournament will comprise age groups ranging from Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-17s to Under-19s. It will be split into male and female categories, as well as individual and team competitions.Denis, who started working with the team in February, expressed confidence that Jamaica can improve on their fourth overall placing on home soil last year.He noted that the players are “a lot stronger” than earlier in the year, and added that they have developed into more “tactical and patient” competitors.“I think their chances are very good. I think we have a reasonable chance of winning the Under-19, Under-17 and Under-15 as Boys’ and possibly the Under-13s. In the Girls’, we should win the Under-15 and possibly the Under-13s,” he said.Denis picked out tall-framed Alyssa Mullings as “the powerhouse of the Caribbean” after her recent dominance at both the youth and senior levels.Nicholas Mundell, Burger King’s sponsorship manager, emphasised his company’s “continued support” in youth development and in sporting programmes that “sets the foundation for the future”.Officials said the sponsorship from the fast-food giant assisted the team with clothing kits and other gear.Aside from Burger King’s contribution, the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) also received assistance from sports clothing manufacturer 305 Squash.Squads: Females — Jessica Perkins, Sarah Conway, Mira Handa, Michaelann Denton, Alyssa Mullings, Ashley Lynch, Mia Lake, Mia MahfoodMales — Ashante Smith, Adam Ardito, Alex Wright, Jake Mahfood, Joe Rousseau, Jonathan Walker, Julian Morrison, Tahjia Lumley.Burger King’s Brand Manager Nicholas Mundell (left) presents a symbolic cheque of $400,000 to junior squash male captain Ashante Smith (right) as team manager Gill Binnie (second left) and female captain Jessica Perkins look on yesterday at the Liguanea Club. (PHOTO: ASTON SPAULDING)View the original article here
Junior Squash gets timely boost from Burger King
