Emma Beddoes selected to make Games debut in Glasgow
World champions Laura Massaro and Nick Matthew lead Team England into the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Team England today named the squad of nine squash players who will represent them at Glasgow 2014.
The squad of four women and five men will compete for medals in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Matthew will head to Glasgow as double defending champion both in singles and doubles where he will again team up with Adrian Grant as the pair aim to recapture the title they won in Delhi four years ago.
Joining Matthew in the singles will be James Willstrop and Peter Barker, who won silver and bronze in 2010, completing an historic one, two three for Team England. Daryl Selby and Adrian Grant complete the men’s side of the squad.
The women’s team comprises Massaro, who will compete in the singles before turning her attention to the doubles. Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters and debutant Emma Beddoes will join Laura in pursuit of Commonwealth Games success.
Nick Matthew said: “The Commonwealth Games are our Olympics and we owe a lot to them. Our National Training Centre at Sportcity, Manchester, is a legacy of the 2002 Games and we will all be using that as a base in the build-up to Glasgow.
“I have wanted to win a Commonwealth Gold medal ever since waking up in the early hours to watch Peter Nicol win Gold on TV in the Kuala Lumpur 1998 Games and then as a team-mate in 2006 in Melbourne.
“To emulate him last time out in Delhi and the feeling I had standing on top of that podium listening to Jerusalem blast out was one of the best feelings ever and I dearly want to repeat it in Glasgow.”
Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: “This is such a strong squad with several medallists from Delhi and two current world champions making squash a really exciting prospect for Glasgow.
“I’d like to welcome each of the athletes to Team England with a special welcome for Emma Beddoes, who will be making her Commonwealth Games debut.”
Laura Massaro said: “I’m really excited and proud to be part of such a strong Team England squad travelling to Glasgow. As a squash player competing in a Commonwealth Games is of huge importance and I want to do myself and my country proud.
“I will be giving everything I have to get on the podium in Glasgow. Hopefully in the individual event and in the doubles too. I can’t wait!”
Emma Beddoes (right) said: “I am delighted to be selected to represent England in the women’s doubles at the Commonwealth Games.
“It will be my first experience of the Commonwealths in Glasgow and I am excited to play my part in what will hopefully be a successful games for squash and Team England as a whole.”
Daryl Selby said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to participate in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It’s always a great honour and privilege to represent England and I will be giving everything I have to come away with a medal.”
Alison Waters said: “’ I’m delighted to have been selected for England to play at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Having been to the Games in Melbourne and Delhi I know what an amazing experience it is and for me they are the pinnacle of our squash careers.
“We have a very strong team and we will be looking to come back with a lot of medals. I’m really excited about going to Glasgow and being a part of Team England.”
James Willstrop said: “I’m very happy to be heading to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games again this summer. It is completely different to every other event we play and there is a unique buzz. And we get to play doubles of course! Which is like learning a whole new sport.”
Squash Team Leader Louise Pickford said: “This is such an exciting squad and playing in the Commonwealth Games representing Team England means so much to each of them.
“We have a pretty good idea of the pairings we’ll see in Glasgow, but we’ll be using our training camp over the coming week to finalise those so we can be sure we’re sending the best possible combinations to Glasgow.”
Name Training Base Born/lives
Peter Barker London / Hutton
Emma Beddoes Leeds / Warwick
Jenny Duncalf Harrogate / Harrogate
Adrian Grant London / London
Laura Massaro Preston / Great Yarmouth
Nick Matthew Sheffield / Sheffield
Daryl Selby Chelmsford / Potters Bar Chelmsford
Alison Waters Welwyn Garden City / London
James Willstrop Harrogate / North Walsham
