Women & Girls Spotlight: Robyn McAlpine reflects on her junior career!

Whilst at her last ever junior event at the World Junior Championships in Cairo, we asked 10x National Junior Champion Robyn McAlpine to reflect on her successful junior career, before she moves onto the senior circuit for good.

Over such a successful junior career I’m sure there have been many highs but what are a few highlights that really standout for you?

I would say winning U17s, U19s and U23s Nationals in a season is up there for me alongside making the senior national team at Europeans when I was 16. Also winning 5 European junior tournaments is a highlight, especially winning the Scottish Junior Open at home this year for the first time!

What will you miss the most about juniors?

I’ll miss the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made over the years, because after juniors we all have different plans such as going to Uni or College in the US or playing on the PSA Tour. Of course I’ll also miss having to wear goggles…

You’ve been playing PSA tournaments on the senior circuit for a while now, what is the biggest difference between junior and seniors?

The biggest difference is definitely the attention to detail and thought that goes in to getting better and to get the small wins. Also the professionalism and discipline that everyone has and needs is a big step up from juniors to seniors.

You’re studying at Herriot-Watt whilst training full time, how has your first year of balancing both studies and training been?

Getting the balance right was definitely an adjustment at the start of the uni year. Getting used to all the changes was a challenge, but once I settled down I think I really thrived in both academic and training environments. It definitely helped having everything in one place at Herriot-Watt/Oriam.

What are some of your goals for the upcoming season?

Some key goals for me for next season is to break into the top 150 on the PSA world rankings and to win a Challenger Tour title. I also want to continue to represent Scotland in the senior team at the European Team Championships next year, as having done that the past season at World Team Championships and Euros were both incredible experiences!

Good luck for the upcoming season Robyn!