Squash Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the NextGen and Junior National Squad programs; two critical pathways for top young athletes designed to lead Canada back to the forefront of global squash.
In collaboration with P/Ts and our high performance/junior coaching communities, the NextGen and Junior squads will address the current gap in development for top junior, US College student athletes and aspiring young PSA players. The program will identify up to 24 female and 24 males and support them in all aspects of their journey to represent Canada at an international level. As always, all Canadian athletes interested in wearing the Maple Leaf are encouraged to reach out to Manager, Athlete Development Samantha Cornett at samantha.cornett@squash.ca at anytime.
Squash Canada and our partners are excited to usher in the next era of Canadian squash and look forward to building on the success of our national program both historically and in the present.
Hometown: West Vancouver, British Columbia
Birthday: 18 August 2006
Current club(s): Evergreen Squash Club
Current coach(es): Thomas Brinkman
Current sponsor(s): Unsquashable
Racquet make and model: SynTech Pro
Shoe make and model: Asics Rockets
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 9
What is your favourite shot? Volley kill
Social media: @roman_bicknell (Instagram)
Quote: “I am super excited to be a part of the 2023-24 Jr National Squad. It’s an honour to represent Canada.”
Fun fact: “Solo practice before school is not as bad as you think.”
Accomplishments
- Team Canada, 2023 Pan Am Junior Squash Championship
- Gold medalist, 2023 Canada Winter Games Team Event
- U17 Champion, 2023 British Columbia Closed Championship
Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario
Birthday: 26 July 2007
Current club(s): Greystone Racquet Club
Current coach(es): Jamie Hickox
Current sponsor(s): Head
Racquet make and model: Head SB120
Shoe make and model: Asics
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 8
What is your favourite shot? Straight kill
Social media: @keiraahickox (Instagram)
Quote: “Very excited for the opportunity to be apart of something so big.”
Fun fact: “I used to have a double handed backhand.”
Accomplishments
- U17 Silver medalist, 2023 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U17 Bronze medalist, 2022 Canadian Junior Open
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Birthday: 29 December 2006
Current club(s): Tabor Academy
Current coach(es): Guillermo Moronta
Current sponsor(s): NA
Racquet make and model: Blue Harrow Vapor
Shoe make and model: Asics Gel Rocket
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 7
What is your favourite shot? Backhand volley drop
Social media: @a1yssaho (Instagram), @rizzgodlyzzy (TikTok)
Quote: “This is so amazing! I’m honoured to be able to represent my country playing a sport I love.”
Fun fact: “Nerds gummy clusters are my weakness and I also play ice hockey!”
Accomplishments
- U19 Champion, 2023 Providence Junior Gold
- U17 Champion, 2022 Canadian Junior Open
- U15 Champion, 2021 Canadian Junior Open
- 5x National Junior Champion in Hong Kong, U11-U15
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Birthday: 17 December 2006
Current club(s): Vancouver Squash Academy
Current coach(es): Marco Toriz
Current sponsor(s): Dunlop
Racquet make and model: Sonic Core Ultimate 132
Shoe make and model: Asics gel-renma
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 11
What is your favourite shot? Backhand drop
Social media: @oceanmly (Instagram)
Quote: “I am so thrilled to continue my journey on the Junior National Squad this year and will make Squash Canada proud!”
Fun fact: “I take 40-minute showers sometimes.”
Accomplishments
- Team Canada, 2023 World Junior Squash Championship
- Team Canada, 2022 World Junior Squash Championship
- U19 Champion, 2023 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U17 Champion, 2023 BC Provincials
- Gold medalist, 2023 Canada Winter Games Team Event
- Gold medalist, 2023 Canada Winter Games Individual Event
- U17 3rd Place, 2022 US Junior Open
- U19 Champion, 2022 BC Junior Open
- U17 Champion, 2022 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U19 3rd Place, 2021 Canadian Junior Open
- U15 Champion, 2021 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U19 Champion, 2021 Alberta Jesters
- U17 Champion, 2021 BC Junior Open
- U13 Champion, 2019 Canadian Junior Open
- U17 Champion, 2019 Alberta Jesters
- U17 Champion, 2019 BC Junior Open
- U15 Champion, 2019 Pacific Northwest Jesters
Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia
Birthday: 17 December 2006
Current club(s): River Club, Vancouver Squash Academy
Current coach(es): Marco Toriz, Memo Cortez
Current sponsor(s): Harrow
Racquet make and model: Harrow Vibe
Shoe make and model: Asics Gel Rocket
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 11
What is your favourite shot? Backhand drop
Social media: @springma_ (Instagram)
Quote: “I am so excited to represent Canada and proud to be a part of a community and put the growth of this sport first.”
Fun fact: “I am very superstitious!”
Accomplishments
- Team Canada, 2023 World Junior Squash Championship
- U17 Champion, 2023 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- Gold medalist, 2023 Canada Winter Games Team Event
- Silver medalist, 2023 Canada Winter Games Individual Event
- U19 Champion, 2023 Ontario Junior Open
- Team Canada, 2022 World Junior Squash Championship
- U19 Champion, 2022 Alberta Jesters Championship
- U17 Champion, 2022 British Columbia Provincial Championship
- U19 Silver medalist, 2022 Canadian Junior Open
- Achieved top 2 in ranking in Canada for every category (U13, U15, U17, U19)
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Birthday: 10 December 2006
Current club(s): Club Sportif MAA
Current coach(es): David Philips, Yvon Provencal
Current sponsor(s): Dunlop
Racquet make and model: Dunlop Sonic Core Ultimate 132
Shoe make and model: Adidas Barricade M SN15
Left- or right-handed: Right
What age were you when you started playing squash? 5
What is your favourite shot? Forhand drop
Social media: @youssefsarhan (Instagram)
Quote: “I am honoured to be named to the 2023-24 Squash Canada National Squad. This recognition is a reflection of my dedication and hard work in the sport. I look forward to representing my country and pushing my limits on the squash court.
Fun fact: “I love travelling and exploring the world.”
Accomplishments
- Team Canada, 2023 World Junior Squash Championship
- U19 Silver medalist, 2023 Ontario Junior Open
- U19 Champion, 2023 Ontario Junior Gold
- U17 Silver medalist, 2023 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U19 Silver medalist, 2022 Alberta Jesters Championship
- U17 Bronze medalist, 2022 Canadian Junior Open
- U17 Bronze medalist, 2022 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
- U15 Champion, 2021 Canadian Junior Closed Championship
