NSC Welcomes the National Schools Finals

The National Squash Centre in Manchesterwill proudly welcome the annual National Schools Championships finals next week as it enters its 39th year. The event which includes Boys & Girls Under 15 & 19 categories will see 32 teams battle it out over four days with the event culminating with winners being crowned as National Champions.

Proceedings begin on Monday and Tuesday with the National Schools Trophy Finals.  The Trophy competitions are now firmly established as part of the event providing all schools and colleges with a second bite at reaching a National Final and playing at the home of England Squash & Racketball.

Finals Schedule:    All National Schools Stories

This years Boys Under 15 Trophy final includes last years main draw winner, Wycliffe College, who hadn’t lost in the U15 event for 7 years and are looking to overcome the disappointment of going out in the group stage by claiming the Trophy title. Hoping to take down the former champions are Barnard Castle who fell just short of the finish line last year losing 3-2 in the Trophy Final. Another shock name in the Trophy stage is Millfield, whose under 15 girls team failed to progress from the groups stages and will be looking to make a mends.

Wednesday will see the under 15 main categories takecentre stage. In the boys draw, Gosforth Academy are back again hoping to better last years third place finish after beating Exeter School in the 3/4 playoff. However Exeter will be looking to make it a hatrick of titles in this event after taking the title in 2002 & 2004. The other 2 teams to make the semi finals are St Wilfrids Catholic High School and Heathside School.

Three out of the four girls’ semi finalists of 2011 return this year to reignite old rivalries as Tewkesbury, the reigning champions, look to make it a double and retain the title. The challenge of stopping Tewkesbury falls to last years runners up Dame Allens High School who will be joined by Gosforth Academy and Down House.

Thursday will see the climax of the finals with the Under 19 draws being concluded. The girls semi final line up is almost a carbon copy of the Girls Under 15 line up. The only change is the addition of Millfied’s girls team who are eager to make it an astonishing 10 consecutive titles. They will be joined by Dame Allens, Tewkesbury and Gosforth Academy who have made 3 out of the 4 finals.

The Boy’s Under 19 finals welcome a couple of new faces in the shape of Lancing College and RGS Newcastle who will be looking to take advantage of the absence of Millfield School to reach the final. Manchester Grammar School also return to have another crack at making the final after losing in last years semi final. However it will take a big upset to beat favourites Wycliffe who are back hoping to make it consecutive titles.

Each day play kicks off at 10.00am with Finals and Play Offs scheduled for 1.30pm.  A great week is expected and anyone wishing to watch will be welcomed at the National Squash Centre, Sport City free of charge.

Semi finals will be draw first thing on the day.

All National Schools Stories