AON New Zealand Junior Open: Preview

This weekend Remuera Rackets Club will host the prestigious AON New Zealand Junior Open. Remuera Rackets Club is one of New Zealand's biggest clubs hosting a membership total of more than 250. The club has a rich history including a record-breaking 29 Mitchell Cup (New Zealand Women's Club Teams) wins in the 60 years the event has been running.

The AON New Zealand Junior Open includes 125+ Juniors from all around New Zealand. The 2020 edition of the event had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, and all these Juniors are raring to go.

Auckland based Natalie Sayes leads the Girls Open draw as the number one seed, the Current U19 National Champion will be keeping her eyes on later rounds where she has the potential to meet any of our 5 other PSA ranked Juniors.

Sophie Hodges (Waikato) finished 4th in the New Zealand Squash Championships in 2020, showcasing her rapid rise to the top. Ella Lash (Auckland) and Jena Gregory (Eastern) rounds off the top 4 seeds.

The draw isn't just the top 4 with 6 PSA ranked players as well as 2020 New Zealand Trans-Tasman members (Event cancelled due to COVID-19); Diana Galloway (Wellington), Maia Smales (Auckland), Zoe Lepper (Auckland), Justine Pausch (Auckland)

Riley-Jack Vatte-Blomquist (Northland), will be a favourite to take home the Boys Open. Coming in as the number one seed after his selection to the eventual cancelled World Junior Teams.

Fellow 2020 World Junior member Joe Smythe (Bay of Plenty) is placed as the second seed. With Henderson Squash Club duo Mason Smales and Apa Fatialofa completing the top 4.

Much like the Girls Open, the draw is filled with talent, including 2021 Trans-Tasman members (Event cancelled due to COVID-19): Noah Thomas (Auckland), Chris Hebberd (Canterbury), Liam Smith (Waikato).

Livestreaming will be available through the Sky Sport Next YouTube throughout the event, which will be one not to miss, with players from every corner of New Zealand competing for the AON New Zealand Junior Open Title.

See the full draws here: AON New Zealand Junior Open Draws

2019 AON New Zealand Junior Open