Hinckley Juniors Make Their Mark in Leicestershire Squash League

Hinckley Squash & Racketball Club’s commitment to developing the next generation of players reached an exciting new milestone during the 2025/26 season, with a junior-led Development Team competing in Division One of the Leicestershire Squash League.

Following the promotion of Hinckley’s second team at the end of the previous season, the opportunity arose to create a Development Team that would give some of the club’s most promising young players regular experience of competitive senior team squash.

Working with the Leicestershire League to find a solution that operated within league rules, Hinckley was able to field a team built around its developing players: Sam Cross, Jackson Bowden, Oscar Brown, Finley Brown, with proud dad Dan Brown bringing his experience, squash nous, and driving licence into play as the team's captain.

With an average age of just 14 at the beginning of the season, the youngsters faced the considerable challenge of competing against some of the best and most experienced players in the county.

It was always going to be a steep learning curve, but one relished by the team.

The season began with three difficult defeats, including matches against Hinckley’s own first team, Market Harborough 2 and eventual league champions Rugby Stags. But rather than allowing those early results to affect their confidence, the team showed tremendous resilience.

What followed was an outstanding run of five consecutive victories, propelling the Development Team up the table and into fifth place with a 50% win rate at the halfway stage of the season.

The second half of the campaign brought plenty more challenges and valuable experience, including another memorable encounter with Hinckley’s first team. Despite a slightly lower team win rate during the second half, the progress made by the young players was clear to see as they continued to develop individually and gel as a team.

By the end of the season, Hinckley’s Development Team had secured an impressive seventh-place finish in an 11-team Division One.

For a side consisting predominantly of players who had only just entered their teenage years, competing week after week against experienced adult opposition, it represented a fantastic achievement.

A Historic Night for Hinckley Juniors

Perhaps the proudest moment of the entire season came on 17th March.

For a Division One fixture against David Lloyd, Hinckley was able to field a team consisting entirely of junior players, with Grace joining the boys to complete the line-up.

It is believed to be the first time in the club’s history that Hinckley has fielded a full junior team at this level of senior county competition.

The occasion represented far more than the result of a single match. It demonstrated the strength of junior squash at Hinckley and what can be achieved by giving talented young players the opportunity to test themselves, learn and compete alongside established senior players.

It was also a proud moment for everyone involved in the club’s junior programme and another encouraging sign for the future of competitive squash at Hinckley.

Development Team – 2025/26 Season

The regular Development Team players finished the season with the following records:

• Sam Cross – Played 17, Won 8, Lost 9
• Jackson Bowden – Played 15, Won 2, Lost 13
• Oscar Brown – Played 17, Won 8, Lost 9
• Finley Brown – Played 18, Won 10, Lost 8
• Danny Brown – Played 14, Won 4, Lost 10

While the statistics tell part of the story, the purpose of the Development Team has always been about much more than wins and losses.

Throughout the season, the players demonstrated determination, resilience and a willingness to learn. Just as importantly, they embraced everything that comes with representing HSRC in team squash – supporting their teammates, welcoming visiting clubs and enjoying the social side of league competition.

Development Team captain Dan Brown reflected on a memorable season by recognising some of the individual contributions within the squad.

Finley receives the Lionheart Award, having regularly faced challenging opposition while giving everything in every match and demonstrating the fighting spirit that helped give the team belief throughout the season.

Oscar is the team’s Most Improved Player, producing increasingly strong performances against difficult opponents and making significant progress in his squash throughout the campaign.

Sam receives the appropriately named Champion Eater Award! At just 16, turning 17 during the season, he regularly took on some of the county’s strongest players and approached every match with tremendous commitment – matched only, apparently, by his determination to ensure that no food was left behind at the post-match team meal.

Jackson receives the Team Player of the Year Award. Playing predominantly at number two represented an enormous challenge against consistently formidable opposition, but his attitude never wavered. His willingness to listen, learn and compete for the team made a major contribution to Hinckley securing seventh place.

A Team Effort

The Development Team was also supported throughout the season by a number of Hinckley players who stepped in when required, including John Hall, Ben Fenwick, Jake Shufflebotham, Danny O’Hara and Alan Cantes.

For the penultimate match of the campaign against Market Harborough, Luke Catt, Jonny Parker and Zak Potter also answered the call, helping the team secure an excellent 3–2 away victory.

Thanks also go to Ali for helping with the team catering until Christmas and to Cath for providing her superb chilli for second-half team meals.

The club and team are also extremely grateful to a generous member who asked to remain anonymous and helped towards the team's match costs. Their contribution allowed a home bar tab to be established for visiting opponents – ensuring that the financial burden of post-match hospitality did not fall on our young players.

After more than 30 years of playing team squash for Hinckley, Development Team captain Dan Brown described the season as one of his most memorable.

There have been highs and lows, hard-fought victories and difficult defeats, but above all there has been an enormous amount of progress – and plenty of fun along the way.

Opposition teams throughout the county have been impressed not only by the talent of Hinckley’s young players, but also by the way they have represented the club both on and off court.

For Hinckley Squash & Racketball Club, the success of the Development Team is something to be immensely proud of. Giving young players meaningful opportunities to compete is an important part of building a sustainable future for the club, and this season has shown just how much can be achieved when talented juniors are given that opportunity.

Congratulations to Sam, Jackson, Oscar, Finley, Dan and Grace – and to everyone who has supported the Development Team during a groundbreaking 2025/26 season.