Masters National Champions look ahead to 2024 Home Internationals series after National titles decided in Edinburgh
Truly a sport for all age groups! Squash enthusiasts from aged 35 to 80 met in Edinburgh for the 2024 Masters National Championships over the weekend of 24 – 25th February, with 75 players competing for 14 national titles.
Also on the line were the hotly contested 2023/24 Masters ranking points, which held a 1.5x multiplier for results, meaning there was still plenty of meaningful squash in the plate draws, and a bounty of 540 points available for winners on Sunday.
The 2024 Scottish Masters National Champions
WO40 – Lizzie Little
WO45 – Katy Temple
WO50 – Julia Horsburgh
WO60 – Sue Strachan
WO65 – Pauline Douglas
MO35 – Ross McHoul
MO40 – Iain Young
MO45 – Allan Tasker
MO50 – Keith Simpson
MO55 – Paul Jenkins
MO60 – Colin Grant
MO65 – Norman Paterson
MO70 – Ian Ross
MO75 – Alex Everingham
Hosted by Edinburgh Sports Club in 2024, the national championships serve as a cornerstone event in Scotland’s squash calendar, highlighting the dedication and skill of veteran players. Once again, the tournament featured a range of age categories, emphasizing inclusivity and providing a platform for players of varying skill levels to participate, allowing older athletes to continue their passion for squash and inspiring others to take up the sport. The event also served as a platform for the squash community to come together, exchange experiences, and create lasting memories.
Men’s Over 35s Final, R. McHoul vs. J. Laas
Amongst all eventual champions there was a high standard of play, with several standout performances seen over the two days of action that drew the crowds on the balcony. In the MO65s, third seed Norman Paterson battled through a five-game semi final with Keith Gristwood [2], before eventually capping a fine weekend by defeating top seed Paul Harris in the final 3-1. In perhaps one of the matches of the weekend, Paul Jenkins triumphed in the MO55s to earn an impressive three-peat in the age category, beating Andy Meldrum in five hard fought games after a back and forth final. The MO35’s final between Ross McHoul and Jacques Laas also featured a serious pace of play and demonstration of shotmaking, with Ross emerging victorious 3-1 to go back-to-back for 2023 and 2024.
In the Women’s draws, Lizzie Little returned north after an impressive third place finish at the British Masters Nationals in early February, and was unbeatable in the WO40s draw to take her first Masters National title. In similar fashion, Katy Temple and Pauline Douglas also proved their strengths as top seeds and secured the W045 and WO65 trophies respectively, while Julia Horsburgh defeated Donna Cruickshank for the WO50 crown and Sue Strachan gained two wins for the WO60s title.
After profiling several players’ passion for squash and ambitions ahead of the tournament (read more here), Scottish Squash also heard from some of this year’s national champions following their achievements, to get a sense of what it meant to lift the trophy.
MO65 Champion Norman Paterson: “I have played in Masters events for a number of years now and have won just one event until this year’s Scottish National Championship. I’ve won plenty of plates over the years though. Enough to fill the biggest drawer in the kitchen but I have never stopped trying. NEVER STOP TRYING. The late great John Rae once sat me down for a chat at one of the events and told me that he believed that I was made of the right stuff and if I persevered, I could achieve whatever I put my mind to. Well in winning this event I achieved. Thank you John. Now it is on to Nottingham for us in the O65 squad. Wish us luck and of course good health!”
WO45 Champion Katy Temple: “”I am thrilled to win the O45s for the first time, and to captain the Scotland O45 team, as my experience of captaining the 35/40 team last year was brilliant. The Home Internationals are my favourite tournament of the year and the camaraderie and support of the team members of the 35/40 team last year was fantastic.”
Like Katy, the Masters will have their sights set on the forthcoming Masters Home International series for 2024, which begins 12-13th April in Nottingham. Across all age categories and four cities over four weeks, Scotland will take on England, Wales and Ireland in round robin team events that are a pillar of the Masters squash calendar. The MHI series thereby provides veteran players the continued opportunity for national representation, a great honour amongst players and always a common ambition at the start of the season. With ranking points now calculated, team announcements for 2024 will follow in March.
Masters Home Internationals 2024
England MHI, Nottingham: 12th & 13th April – MO45 / MO65 / WO45 / WO65
Scotland MHI, Edinburgh: 19th & 20th April – MO40 / MO60 / WO35|40 / WO60
Ireland MHI, Dublin: 26th & 27th April – MO50 / MO70 / WO50
Wales MHI, Cardiff: 3rd & 4th May – MO35 / MO55 / MO75 / WO55
Scottish Squash would like to extend their thanks to Edinburgh Sports Club for their hosting of the 2024 National Championships, and congratulate all players in the Masters squash community on fantastic season of domestic squash in the regional series. You can view the full results for the season via the links below and see the full album of photos from the National Championships on the Scottish Squash Facebook page.
Results 2023/24
West of Scotland Masters Regional
