Earlier this month Kooyong scholarship holder Sam Ejtemai won the Under 19s Boys division of the 2014 Australian Junior Squash Championships.
Held at The Terrace Squash Centre in Perth, number 1 seed Ejtemai defeated number 2 seed New South Welshman Rohan Toole 11-6 11-4 11-7. Sam only dropped one set for the tournament, in the semi final against number 4 seed Solayman Nowrozi.
Previously Sam won the Under 17s Boys division in 2013 and the Under 15s Boys division in 2011, a fantastic achievement.
Fellow scholarship holder and number 2 seed Victoria Leow made the final of the Under 19s Girls division, defeating number 3 seed from Queensland Samantha Calvert 2-11 11-5 11-2 11-6 in her semi final.
Unfortunately Victoria lost the final to another Queenslander, number 1 seed Lakeesha Rarere, 11-9 9-11 11-5 11-5.
Another scholarship holder, Jason Holmes, upset number 3 seed Jon Van Der Kreek in an epic round 2 clash of the Under 17s Boys division, 16-14 11-5 4-11 5-11 12-10.
In a severe test of his fitness, Jason played another 5-set epic in the quarter finals, losing out to number 6 seeded Queenslander Nicholas Calvert 11-5 9-11 11-6 2-11 11-9.
While Jason was participating at the Junior Squash Championships, the 2014 Community Sport and Recreation Awards were held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Jason was fortunate enough to win the Young Volunteer of the Year Award, which, according to the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure website, recognises the exceptional contribution made by a volunteer under the age of 25 to the Victorian sport and active recreation community.
According to the Squash Australia website, Jason, who was born legally blind in one eye, has been coaching and mentoring junior squash players at the Westerfolds Sport Centre and introduced squash to his high school. The award was accepted by Squash & Racquetball Executive Director, Fiona Young.
"The award is well deserved recognition for Jason's significant work in developing junior squash as well as providing some great positive profile for the sport. These awards showcase the fantastic work being done at grassroots level by a wide range of volunteers and are highly respected," said Fiona.
Tate Norris, ranked number 1 in Victoria and now number 5 in Australia, finished 5th in the Under 15 Boys division of the Junior Squash Championships.
Tate lost his quarter final 11-5 11-4 11-7 to number 3 seed Jack Hudson. In the 5th v 6th play off Tate defeated Brody Di Bella 9-11 11-4 11-7 11-8.
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Squash Australian Junior Championships