Rory hopes to lead by example in debut as Scotland’s first string player
Rory Stewart hopes to follow in the fine tradition of Scotland’s number one squash players in leading by example, on and off court.
The Muthil squash star will be Scotland’s top player in the European Team Championships in Amsterdam – getting underway tomorrow – following the news that Greg Lobban will no longer compete for Scotland.
Rory said: “Greg was always a leader, someone that we could all go to for advice – and I’m sure I still will go to him for advice.
“Before that we had Alan Clyne who was men’s number one for so many years, and he really took on that leadership role.
“With me getting a bit older and the younger ones coming into the team, it’s my time to step into that leadership role.”
Becoming Scotland’s number one has long been an ambition for Stewart, even if he would have preferred the honour in different circumstances.
He said: “It feels good to be the top player, and something I’ve wanted to achieve for a very long time.
“Obviously I would have liked to have earned it on my own merit, but it’s a credit to Greg that he was able to keep that position for so long.”
With an average age of just 24, the team of Rory Stewart, Alasdair Prott, John Meehan, Andrew Glen and Rory Richmond will have the opportunity to gain experience against Europe’s top teams.
Having won promotion back to Division 1 in 2024, the team secured a strong fifth-placed finish in the top-flight last year.
Rory said: “Maintaining our place in the first division would be massive.
“Hopefully we can do that and potentially cause a few upsets along the way, then try to push on from there.
“The younger guys in the team are all training so well and they’ve put in such a good shift with great attitudes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we are able to push on in the coming years.”
The squash star, who won a doubles bronze medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, reached a career high of 40 in the world three years ago.
Currently ranked number 75, he hopes to bounce back in the coming months.
He said: “My biggest personal ambition is to get back to the level that I was at a couple of years ago.
“The standard is so high these days, so it’s really all about getting back to the level that I know I’m capable of.”
All the matches
Scotland’s women pulled off a fantastic fourth place finish in 2025, and will be looking for another strong performance as they welcome Lisa Aitken back to the team following injury.
Georgia Adderley, Ally Thomson, Robyn McAlpine and Ellie Jones complete a strong line-up.
The Scots face Ukraine tomorrow and Spain on Thursday in Pool D.
Scotland’s men will also compete in Pool D, facing Poland tomorrow and Germany on Thursday.
Follow the action
You can follow the results and fixtures on the European Squash Federation event page.
Matches from the event will be streamed on ESF Squash TV.
