2022 WSF World Junior Championships Wrap

The 2022 WSF World Junior Championship and Junior Men's Team Champs in Nancy, France, proved to be a fantastic opportunity for the 12 players and four coaches/managers to test themselves against the world after the Covid closures had cancelled previous events.

It proved to be a real eye-opener in many ways against a huge number of styles and nationalities. It was also noticeable that the boys individuals and teams were not dominated by Egyptians as the Europeans emerged strong.

Joe Smythe had the best overall result with a third round finish in the Open draw while in the girls the majority of players finished in the top half of placings of the 128- player draw.

Maiden-Lee Coe placed 47th, Jena Gregory 52, Sophie Hodges 53, Anne Leakey 60, Ella Lash 66 and Anabel Romero-Gemmell 71. It was notable that aside from Hodges and Lash it was the first time at a Junior World Championship for the other players, but for all of the team the first time away competing fully for around three years. The girls coaches were Tamsyn Leevey and Emma Millar.

“It was good to be back playing overseas and against different play and taking in all of the different styles. Our players and coaches learnt a huge amount from the whole event and will be better for it in the future,” said Millar.

Every player representing New Zealand won at least two matches and all played a number of five game contests. The boys team was Smythe, Mason Smales, Apa Fatialofa and Paul Moran, while Ollie Dunbar and Tom Marshall took part in the individual championship. Manu Yam and Nic Dann were the boys coaches.

In the teams event, the Kiwis were in a difficult pool with top seeded team, Egypt and an improving Colombian team coached by New Zealand’s Martin Knight. Losses to both of those nations meant a place in the consolation.

The New Zealand team then beat Switzerland 2-1, lost to Hong Kong 1-2 and beat Spain 2-1 for its 15th place.

“The boys learned a lot from the trip, especially the high level from all the other countries and the intensity of matches.  They need to stay mentally strong and physically fit to sustain long brutal rallies from start to finish. But in saying that, they all played their hearts out and gave it all. Another highlight of the event was when the four boys did the haka in front of everyone. It was very impressive and moving. They owned it,” said Yam.

A number of the players who took part in the WSF World Championship will be eligible to take part in the Trans-Tasman tournament later in the year.