Bishop Wordsworth School wins National Schools Squash Championship

Bishop Wordsworth School (BWS) went undefeated in the National Schools Championship at Edgbaston Priory Squash Club, Birmingham, on Wednesday, March 13.

Despite being a state school with no squash court, unlike many of the rival private schools in the championship, the BWS U14 team came out victorious.

The team consisted of Gilbert Harrington, Frankie Binns, Nick Holmes, Gabriel Williams and Jake Whitby. 

Bishop Wordsworth School's under 14s squash team. (Image: Dan Binns)

A squash team is made up for five players ranked in order of ability. Each player plays the equivalent player in the opposition's team. 

Coach Dan Binns, who runs a Squash Plus junior group at Five Rivers leisure centre every Monday evening, worked closely with Frankie, Gabriel and Jake.

He also manages the team and worked with Richard Demain-Griffiths, BWS Head of Games, to enter the team into the championship.

The annual event is normally dominated by the likes of Millfield, Epson College, Eton and Harrow but this did not intimidate BWS.

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Before the finals, BWS hosted round one at Five Rivers in January and won convincingly against teams from Hampshire.

They went on to compete at Epsom College where they beat Epsom College, Reeds and Royal Grammar School High Wycombe.

At the final, Frankie and Gilbert were strong at one and two so BWS needed to pick up at least one string from the remaining players - Nick, Gabriel and Jake.

They won the first match 3-2, Frankie, Gabriel and Gilbert won. Into the semi finals and Nick secured a 3-2 win.

Mr Binns gave a run down on the final match, he said: "Jake keeps his cool, plays the best I've seen him play and wins his match.

"Frankie and Gabriel step up and win as well - BWS win the final 3-2 and are Under 14 Nationals Champions!"

BWS squash captain Frankie Binns said: "We played some great teams in every round. They pushed us all the way. It was a real team effort."

This was the first national title in any sport that BWS has ever won in its 135-year history.

Mr Demain-Griffiths, head of sport at BWS, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the boys and the school. We are all very proud. The first National title for BWS! We look forward to seeing this team progress in the coming years."

Dan Binns, SquashPlus+ lead coach and BWS team coach, added: "The boys have done brilliantly. They really played as a team supporting each other all the way through the competition. Everyone played a huge part in the success they've had. I'm very proud of all of them all."