Scottish Junior Open inspires next generation as McAlpine leads the way

One of Scotland’s top squash players has praised the impact of the Scottish Junior Open, saying her 2024 title was a “huge milestone” in her playing career.

Robyn McAlpine was victorious in the GU19 category last year, after two previous final defeats, to win the title without dropping a game.

The event is a key development opportunity for young Scottish players and is often the first time they play against international opponents.

“There are so many top players there from around the world, being exposed to that from a young age helped me find different ways to beat different people” Robyn said.

With victory in a three-way final against top seed American Judy Liu and Australia’s Emmy Lamb, McAlpine progressed to place 4th at the European U19 team championships and reached the round of 16 at the World Juniors this year.

Robyn said: “I found it (the SJO) so inspiring, it gave me role models throughout my junior career, and now some of them are still my role models”.

“For me to win it in my last year was a huge milestone.”

This year’s event has attracted over 200 entries, including 54 Scots, many of whom will be travelling south to the British Junior Open in Birmingham the following week.

While the event attracts elite junior players, the competition welcomes players of all levels and experience, with many members of the U11-U13 and U15-17 development squad set to compete.

This includes U13s Sophie Ballantyne seeded 2nd and current Irish Junior open champion, U17s Murdo Mackenzie, a ¾ seed who will be hoping for a strong performance.

Entries have risen for the Scottish Junior Open 2025 and Pathways and Competitions Coordinator Philip Lyons is feeling positive in the lead up to this year’s event.

He said: “To get numbers up from 190 to more than 200 is great as it demonstrates the event’s appeal.

“We have younger siblings playing too, which shows how much the young players enjoy the event and tell their friends and family about it.

“We would like to thank all the efforts of our club volunteers in helping make the event possible.”

As a current Heriot-Watt University Squash scholar, with experience of playing in every age group of the Scottish Junior Open, Robyn is very familiar with the courts at Oriam.

The Sport and Exercise student said: “Being able to show international stars how good Oriam is and all the environments that Heriot-Watt and Scotland’s Elite Performance Squad train in is really pleasing”

“It also allows Scottish squash players to compete against so many people from around the world, and to have this event on home soil is really good”.

The athlete will likely be a role model for some of the Scottish contingent competing, including her brother Cailean McAlpine, participating in the U17s draw.

Spectators can watch the action in person at host venues Oriam and Grange Sports Club, with a single-court live stream planned for 29th and 30th December.

Article by Telfer Gray