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 Director of Athlete Development Jamie Nicholls 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.
Residence: Oakville, Ontario 
Date of Birth: August 29, 2004
Current Club: The Oakville Club
Coach: Melanie Jens
Racquet: Tecnifibre
Shoes: Asics
Clothing: Nike, New Balance, Under Armour
Based in: Oakville, Ontario
Right or Left Handed: Right handed
Hobbies: Reading, sports, art
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta and Chicken
Favourite Tournament to Play: British Junior Open
Favourite Player: Nour El Sherbini
Role Model Growing Up: My parents
Age When You Started Playing: 12
Favourite Shot: Backhand kill
Favourite Quote: “Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.”
Schooling: St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: When I first started playing squash, I always looked up to the national team players, aiming to be just like them and bring pride to Squash Canada and my country. I love being able to represent my country on the world stage, while also having the ability to be a role model, for the younger generation of aspiring squash players, to look up to!
Accomplishments:
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Champion: Ontario Junior Open 2019
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Champion: Ontario Junior Closed 2019
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Fifth place: Scottish Junior Open 2019
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Sixth place: Canadian Junior Closed 2019
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Champion: Ontario Winter Games 2018
Residence: Oakville, ON
Date of Birth: December 11, 2004
PSA Player Profile: https://www.psaworldtour.com/view-player/player/amal-izhar/
Current Club: Ontario Racquet Club
Coaches: Nadeem Izhar, Chris Sachvie
Sponsors: Oliver
Racquet: Oliver Apex 300
Shoes: Asics
Based in: New York City, NY
Right or Left Handed: Right handed
Hobbies: Travelling, reading
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta
Favourite Tournament to Play: Dutch Junior Open
Favourite Player: Raneem El Weleily
Age When You Started Playing: 12
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: 15
Favourite Shot: Volley drop
Schooling: Columbia University
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada:
It is an amazing squash community that always has the utmost support for their
players. It has opened up the world for me, providing opportunities to travel and make
new friends. I find it to be such a privilege to represent Canada playing a sport I am so
passionate about.
Accomplishments:
– Team Canada at Pan Am Games — 2022
– Team Canada for World Juniors 2022
– Winner – PSA Quebec Open 2022
– Winner – All Pakistan Squash Open 2022
– 3rd place – German Junior Open 2022
– Finalist – Canadian Junior Nationals (GU17) – 2021
– Finalist – Scottish Junior Open (GU17) — 2019
– Winner – Ontario Junior Open (GU17) – 2019
– Finalist – European Junior Open (GU15) — 2019
– Finalist – Canadian Junior Open (GU15) — 2019
– Finalist – Canadian Junior Nationals (GU15) – 2019
Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia
Date of Birth: Jan 12th, 2006
Current Club: Jericho Tennis Club
Coaches: Richard Yendell
Sponsors: Harrow
Racquet: Harrow Spark
Shoes: Asics
Based in: Vancouver, British Columbia
Right or Left Handed: Right-handed
Hobbies: Listening to music, coding
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta
Favourite Tournament to Play: Canadian Nationals
Favourite Player: Olivia Fiechter
Age When You Started Playing: 11
Favourite Shot: Straight drive
Schooling: Crofton House School
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: I believe that it is an honour to be able to play a sport on a national level and represent my country. When I compete in an international setting, I feel accomplished to be able to contribute to my country in my own way.
Accomplishments:
– Champion: Canadian Junior Open U17, 2021
– Third Place: Canadian Nationals U17, 2022
– Represented Team Canada at Battle of the Borders 2022
Social Media :
Instagram: _h3rmyyy_
Residence: Barrhaven, Ontario
Date of Birth: March 18, 2005
Current Club: Goodlife Queensview
Coach: Heather Wallace
Sponsor: Dunlop
Racquet: Hyperfibre Revelation
Shoes: Salming
Based in: Ottawa, Ontario
Right or Left Handed: Left handed
Hobbies: Reading, listening to music
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta
Favourite Tournament to Play: US Junior Open
Favourite Player: Nick Matthew
Favourite Match You’ve Played: Caroline Fouts at the U.S junior open (u15), it was good to see how I improved since last time and how I can do better for next.
Age When You Started Playing: 10
Favourite Shot: Backhand volley drop
Schooling: John McCrae Secondary School
Accomplishments:
- Champion: Canadian Junior Open U15, 2019
- Champion: Ontario Junior Closed GU19, 2019
- Third Place: US Junior open U13, 2017
Social Media:
- Instagram: @iman_shaheen_squash
Hometown: Guangzhou, China
Date of Birth: August 4, 2005
Current Club: Jericho Tennis Club
Coaches/trainers: Richard Yendell, Marco Toriz Caddo
Sponsor: Eye Rackets
Racquet: Eye Rackets
Shoes: Eye Rackets
Clothing: Eye Rackets
Based in: Vancouver, British Columbia
Right or Left Handed: Right handed
Hobbies: Listen to music, read, and study
Favourite Game Day Food: Chinese food
Favourite Tournament to Play: Hong Kong Junior Open
Favourite Player: Ali Farag
Role Model Growing Up: My parents
Favourite Match You’ve Played: The match at British Junior Open against Yousef Roushdy Mabrouk. This is a memorable match because not only did I beat a top Egyptian player but I also got into the quarter finals of BJO.
Age When You Started Playing: 9
Favourite Shot: Drive
Favourite Quote: “A lot of people say they want to be great, but they’re not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. They have other concerns, whether important or not, and they spread themselves out. That’s totally fine. After all, greatness is not for everybody.” – Kobe Bryant
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: It is an honour to represent Canada at prestigious tournaments. By playing for Canada, I feel that I am always supported by my coaches and team members. They motivate me to reach my full potential.
Accomplishments:
- Champion: B.C. Provincial Junior Close Championships 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Sixth Place: British Junior Open BU15, 2020
- Champion: Canadian Junior Championships 2017, 2018, 2019
- Ninth Place: US Junior Open BU15, 2019
- Finalist: Canadian Junior Open BU15, 2018
- Finalist: Canadian Junior Open BU13, 2016, 2017
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Fifth Place: US Junior Open BU13, 2017
Social Media:
- Instagram: @j.zl84
Residence: Richmond, BC
Date of Birth: May 8 2005
Current Club: Riverclub
Coaches: Marco Toriz, Memo Cortez
Sponsors: Harrow
Racquet: Harrow Spark
Shoes: Asics Gel Rocket
Based in: Richmond, BC
Right or Left Handed: Right
Hobbies: Watching UFC/anime and hanging with family
Favourite Game Day Food: Ramen
Favourite Tournament to Play: PNW
Favourite Player: Diego Elias
Age When You Started Playing: 7
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: N/A
Favourite Shot: Straight Backhand drop
Schooling: J.N. Burnett
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada:
I love playing professional squash for Canada because it allows me to represent my country while playing the sport I love. While at the Worlds, I was filled with a great sense of pride knowing I was playing for Canada; It gave me something to play for way bigger than myself. Even for training it fills me great motivation to know I am playing for Canada.
Accomplishments:
– Qualified for Boys Junior Worlds Team
– 2nd at Junior Nationals U17 2021
– 3rd at CJO U17 2021
– 3rd at PNW U19 2022
– 6th at Junior Nationals U19 2022
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @josephbtoth_
Residence: Calgary, AB Canada
DOB: November 21st, 2004
PSA profile: Click here
Current club: The Glencoe Club
Coaches: David Duncalf, Adrian, Bob
Racquet: Black Knight Phenom
Shoes: Eye squash shoe
Based in: Calgary
Hand: Right handed
Hobbies: Singing, Basketball, Squash,
Favourite game day food: Mango’s
Favourite tournament to play: Canadian Junior Open
Favourite Player: Hania El Hammamy
Age when I started playing: 7
When did I start playing PSA: February 2021
Favourite shot: Backhand Kill
Schooling: Henry Wisewood High School
Why I love playing squash for Canada: I enjoy playing for Canada as it helps me to build onto the foundation of team involvement. Not only am I learning how to be a part of a team, but I am meeting new people, playing amazing players from around the world, and learning new techniques from various coaches.
Accomplishments:
- Champion: Pacific Northwest Jesters 2020
- Champion: Bankers Hall Club No Frills Squash Tournament 2019
- Finalist: Calgary Winter Club Junior Gold 2019
- Finalist: Alberta Junior Closed Provincial Championships 2019
- Champion: Alberta Jesters Junior Open 2018
Social Media:
Instagram: @maddisonlaine
Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia
Date of Birth: May 15, 2006
Current Club: Jericho Tennis Club
Coaches/trainers: Richard Yendell, Viktor Berg
Sponsor: Harrow
Racquet: Vibe/Harrow
Shoes: Asics
Clothing: Lululemon
Based in: Vancouver, British Columbia
Right or Left Handed: Right handed
Hobbies: Photography
Favourite Game Day Food: Sandwich
Favourite Tournament to Play: Alberta Junior Jesters, Jericho Junior Open
Favourite Player: Hania El Hammamy
Role Model Growing Up: Nicol David, Laura Massaro
Favourite Match You’ve Played: 5 game match against Alex Brown at the Jericho Junior Open. I had to come back from 0-2 and fight off multiple match balls.
Age When You Started Playing: 6
Favourite Shot: Backhand volley drop
Favourite Quote: “Never say never because limits, like fears are often just illusions.”
Accomplishments:
- Champion: BC Junior Closed Provincial Championships 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Champion: Canadian Junior Open 2018, 2019
- Champion: Canadian Junior Closed Championships 2019
Residence: Richmond BC
Date of Birth: 2006 December 17th
PSA Player Profile: Click here
Current Club: Vancouver Squash Academy
Coaches: Marco Toriz, Guillermo Cortes
Sponsors: Harrow Sports
Racquet: Harrow Vibe
Shoes: Asics
Based in: Richmond BC
Right or Left Handed: Right handed
Hobbies: sports, watching movies, food
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta
Favourite Tournament to Play: Canadian Junior Open
Favourite Player: Hania El Hammamy
Age When You Started Playing: 10
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour:
Favourite Shot: backhand volley drop shot
Schooling: J.N.Burnett secondary school
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: Being able to wear the maple leaf on my back and represent my country when competing is an honour and a dream come true.
Accomplishments:
– Champion: 2022 BC Junior Open GU19
– 22nd: 2022 World Juniors Individual Championships
– Champion: 2022 Canadian National GU17
– Top 4: 2021 US Junior Open GU17
– Top 3: 2021 Canadian Junior Open GU19
– Champion: 2021 Canadian National GU15
– Champion: 2021 Alberta Jesters GU19
– Champion: 2021 BC Junior Open GU17
– Champion: 2019 Canadian Junior Open GU13
– Champion: 2019 Alberta Jesters GU17
– Champion: 2019 BC Junior Open GU17
– Champion: 2019 Pacific Northwest Jesters GU15
Social Media :
Instagram @oceanmly
Residence: Toronto, Ontario
Date of Birth: September 10 , 2004
Current Club: University of St. Lawrence Saints
Coaches: David Morrish
Sponsors: Harrow
Racquet: Harrow
Shoes: Asics
Based in: Canton, NY, USA
Right or Left Handed: Right
Hobbies: Drums, working out, podcasts & sports commentary
Favourite Game Day Food: Oatmeal and banana
Favourite Tournaments to Play: CJO & USJO
Favourite Player: Gregory Gaultier
Age When You Started Playing: 7
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: 2022
Favourite Shot: Volley drop
Schooling: University of St. Lawrence, Royal St. George’s College
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: The honour to play for my country & to meet other players from all over the world
Accomplishments:
– Team Canada U19, USJO – 2021 & 2022
– Winner, Men’s A, Ontario Provincial Championship
– 2nd Pacific Northwest Tournament, Victoria, BC
Social Media :
Instagram: @patrick.walford
Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia
Date of Birth: August 18th, 2006
PSA Player Profile: N/A
Current Club: Evergreen Squash Club
Coach: Thomas Brinkman
Sponsors: Unsquashable
Racquet: Unsquashable syn-tec pro
Shoes: Unsquashable/Asics
Based in: Vancouver, BC
Right or Left Handed: Right
Hobbies: Hiking, rock climbing, reading, guitar and video games
Favourite Game Day Food: Eggs
Favourite Tournament to Play: Canadian Junior Open
Favourite Player: Paul Coll/Diego Elias
Age When You Started Playing: 9
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: N/A
Favourite Shot: Crosscourt fade
Schooling: Rockridge Secondary, BC
Why I Love Playing Junior Squash for Canada: Squash has been an outlet into another world for me. I am able to compete, meet new players and experience new places, new things and so much more.
Accomplishments:
PNW U19 – 2nd
CJO U17 – 7th
2022 BC Junior closed U17- 1st
2022 Dutch Junior open U17 – 15th
2022 Canadian Junior Closed U17 – 6th
Residence: Calgary
Date of Birth: May 7th 2006
Current Club: Glencoe Club
Coaches: David Duncalf
Sponsors: Harrow
Racquet: Harrow Vibe
Shoes: Asics Gel Blade 7s
Based in: Calgary
Right or Left Handed: Right
Hobbies: Skiing, Basketball, Reading
Favourite Game Day Food: Chicken and Pasta.
Favourite Tournament to Play: Pacific North West Jesters
Favourite Player: Gregory Gaultier was my favourite but currently Gawad
Age When You Started Playing: 4
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: N/A
Favourite Shot: Volley Drop
Schooling: Western Canada High School
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: I do not, but I love playing squash
because of the intensity, and the speed and overall athleticism it requires.
Accomplishments:
– 3X Provincial Champion
– 2X Battle Of The Border Team Member
– Pacific North West Jesters Champion
– Alberta Jesters Champion
Social Media :
Instagram: @sam__boulanger
Residence: Richmond, BC, Canada
Date of Birth: 2006, December 17th
PSA Player Profile: Click here
Current Club: Vancouver Squash Academy (River Club)
Coaches: Marco Toriz, Memo Cortes
Sponsors: Harrow
Racquet: Harrow
Shoes: Asics
Based in: Richmond, British Columbia
Right or Left Handed: Right Handed
Hobbies: Volleyball, Basketball, Reading
Favourite Game Day Food: Pasta
Favourite Tournament to Play: Canadian Junior Open
Favourite Player: Hania El Hammamy
Age When You Started Playing: 10
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: 15
Favourite Shot: Backhand straight drop
Schooling: J.N.Burnett Secondary School
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada: Our Canadian community is so
tight and welcoming. Representing Canada makes me proud.
Accomplishments:
● US Junior Open 2021 U17 : 6th place
● World Junior Championships 2022 : 39th place
● Canadian Junior Closed 2021 : Finalist
● BC Junior Open 2022 U19 : Finalist
● BC Closed 2022 : Finalist
● BC Junior Closed 2022 U17 : Champion
● BC Junior Open 2022 U19 : Finalist
● Alberta Jesters 2022 U19 : Champion
Social Media :
Instagram: @springma_
Residence: Milton, Ontario
Date of Birth: January 26,2020
PSA Player Profile: Click here
Current Club: Cedar Springs Health Racquet and SportsClub
Coaches: Reiko Peter
Sponsors: Dunlop
Racquet: Dunlop
Shoes: Salming
Based in: Milton, Ontario
Right or Left Handed: Right Handed
Hobbies: Exercising, Reading, Soccer
Favourite Game Day Food: Chicken rice plate with salad
Favourite Tournament to Play: Canadian Junior Open
Favourite Player: Mostafa Asal
Age When You Started Playing: 9 years old
When Did You Start Playing Professionally on the PSA World Tour: 2022
Favourite Shot: Volley crosscourt nick
Schooling: Kings Christian Collegiate (High-School)
Why I Love Playing Professional Squash for Canada:
I love playing squash for Canada because I enjoy representing Canada as well as bringing honour to my country through my performances internationally.
Accomplishments:
– Ontario Junior Closed U17/19 Champion
– U17 Ontario Junior Open Champion
– Ontario U19 Player of year
– Ontario Gold 3 winner
– Ontario Gold 4 winner
– Ontario Gold 1 winner
– U19 Ontario Provincial Doubles champion
Social Media :
Instagram: @wasey_m2q