A JUNIOR from Tomaree Squash Club will represent NSW next month after being selected to play in the Australian Under Age Championships.
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Claire Flannery, 13, was selected for NSW's under-15 junior squash team after putting on a top performance at the state selection championships held in Coffs Harbour last month.
"I wasn't expecting it," Flannery said. "I played six games in Coffs Harbour and won three, so I wasn't expecting to get picked."
As part of the NSW team, Flannery will head to Perth in September to play against Australia's best under-15 female squash players.
The feat is made all the more extraordinary as Flannery, who attends Tomaree High School, only began playing competitive squash last year.
Flannery's mother, Leanne, said while her daughter had been involved with the sport since she was about nine, it was only last year she had shown a passion for competition.
Since then Claire has played in the Hunter competition, which led to her playing in Coffs Harbour.
Tim Dowell, Tomaree Squash Club captain, said he was not surprised Flannery had been selected to represent NSW.
"Claire is always down here [squash courts] practising after school," Dowell said. "She listens to the advice we give her and is very committed to the sport."
Flannery said she was excited to play in Perth next month.