Norton's Liam Dukes, 11, takes home national squash title

The 11-year-old from Norton was selected to be part of the Yorkshire Under 11s squash team for the tournament, where he was joined by Pontefract’s Logan Willstrop and James Barker.

The first part of the competition, which invites participants of all age groups from Under 11s to Under 19s, is usually played out in November, with the finals held in early April.

With teams from as far as Surrey and Wales among those competing, there is plenty of travelling involved for the prestigious event.

Yorkshire’s team sailed through the first stages held in Warwickshire in November, earning the top seeding for the finals held in Sheffield earlier this month.

They duly lived up to that billing, and in the final match of a hard-fought weekend, Liam was on court for the championship decider.

He won 3-0, with Logan, who plays at number one for the team, then tasked with following Liam’s impressive start to take the title. He did just that, with James completing the team’s victory by also winning his match.

The achievement is the latest in a long line of successes for the Ryedale club’s junior section as it continues to go from strength to strength.

Seth Benson represented North Yorkshire in the Ridings Cup and Cameron Dukes, Liam’s brother, played and represented Yorkshire at county level in the Under 13s.

The club have extended their coaching nights to include a new ‘Squash Stars’ grassroots development programme, hoping to introduce children to the sport from a young age.

They also offer a ‘Off the Wall Squash’ skills level programme, demonstrating the progression of individual skills set out on cards and certificates.

Alex , Freddie, Seth and Oliver after completing their level 3 OTW awards. (Image: Supplied)

Club membership runs annually from August 1 to July 31 2025.

For more information about Malton Rackets Club, visit their website here, contact coach Derek Norris on 07882 440329, or email Kevin Goddard, at kmgoddard@btinternet.com.