LEAMINGTON Royals will begin the defence of their Optasia Squash Super League (SSL) title with a trip to St. George’s Hill Knights this weekend.
The Royals claimed a nail-biting victory against Chichester Centurions in the first-ever SSL Grand Final in June last year.
The result capped a stunning year for Leamington who saw their men’s and women’s teams crowned national club champions.
And the Royals are now gearing up to defend their title against St. George’s in Weybridge, Surrey this weekend.
Team manager, Jason Pike, said: “They say it’s harder to defend a title than win one, as every match becomes a cup final for the opposition.
“It will be what it will be. Last season was absolutely fantastic, and we exceeded all our expectations.
“We had a pretty restricted budget and worked hard to put together a really good predominantly UK-based squad – the aim being to be competitive, but most importantly to bring world class squash to our doorstep.
“And to give our members, especially our juniors, some unforgettable evenings. We achieved that and more.
“The key to our success? It was clear from the start that there was a strong bond across the squad, all players worked for and helped each other, members turned out in droves for the coaching clinics and the sell-out home crowd certainly proved an extra man at times.”
England’s Declan James (world number 31) will lead the Royals and faces a tough test against Joel Makin (Welsh number one and world number five).
James saved Championship ball in last year’s final before winning the decisive match 3-2 against Chichester’s Curtis Malik.
Leading the Royals women, Japan’s Satomi Watanabe (world number six) will look to extend her unbeaten record for the club against Alicia Mead (world number 57).
In the women’s under-25 match, Leamington’s University of Birmingham star Olivia Besant (world number 153) takes on tour pro Asia Harris (world number 87).
The club hero game pits Leamington’s Welsh number three Owain Taylor (world number 127) against the recently retired Charlie Lee who also reached a career-high of world number 43 in 2023.
And the Knights are playing in their second game of the season after beating Bristol Buccaneers 3-1 in their opening fixture last month.
Pike added: “We are delighted to retain most of last year’s championship-winning squad, as well as announcing a couple of new stars, adding more depth to our roster.
“This has only been possible due to the ongoing support from Jolyon Olivier and his team at Napton Cidery.
“Crowd favourites, the French number one and European champion, Victor Crouin and Satomi Watanabe lead the pro ranks again – backed up by Declan James and our new signing, Fayrouz Aboelkheir, the brilliant 19-year-old Egyptian girl.
“England’s Lucy Turmel, who had key wins last season over international players, Hollie Naughton and Sarah-Jane Perry, completes the pro squad.
“In the under-25s, we continue to have great strength and are delighted to announce that Sam Todd has joined the Royals’ ranks.
“Sam has had a stellar season so far on the tour, showing the form that we all expected before his lengthy injury lay off.
“He will be supported in the men’s category by Ben Smith and local favourite, Abdallah Eissa.
“The ladies are unchanged with Harvard’s Saran Nghiem, Birmingham Uni’s Olivia Besant and multi-British junior champion, Mariam Eissa, providing a power-packed squad.
“Our Club Heroes will once again be long-term club favourites, Owain Taylor and Rory Richmond, with the club’s first ever junior champion, Sam Cross, again looking to take his place in the starting line-up.”
Leamington’s fixture against St. George’s Hill Knights takes place on Saturday, January 10.
