Teen squash player has talent in the blood

Racing around the squash court, Jamie Oakley shadows beneath his opponent.

Together the sporting pair duck and dive around the white-wall encased squash court and battle it out in the pool play of the NZCT AIMS Games squash tournament.

Jamie may be a head shorter than his opponent but by no means does height equal skill. Jamie's face is slightly flushed, he's barely got up a sweat and already he's beaten his opponent.

Jamie works hard to be at the top of his game and his skills come from a combination of hard work and natural ability. Playing squash is in his blood - his mother is world champion squash player Dame Susan Devoy.

"I began playing when I was 5 and I got into it because my family is heavily involved," the 13-year-old said.

"My Mum and Dad and three brothers all play so it was kind of natural that I got into it."

Last year Jamie came second in the games as a Year 7 competitor. This year he wants to take the title of AIMS Games squash champion.

"I love squash because you have to be fit and fast. It's a fast game," the 13-year-old said.

"[The sport] is building in popularity and it's definitely getting bigger here in the Bay."

Jamie and fellow Tauranga Intermediate School squash player Alex Revington, 13, are the "boys to beat" at this year's tournament, said tournament director Robbie Wyatt.

He suggested the tournament would mimic last year and both boys would again be in the final.

Jamie and Alex were this year selected for the National Development Team, which was a "step down" from the national squad.

From here the boys aim to be selected to represent New Zealand in the World Junior Boys' Squad.

To be an elite squash player, Jamie practises every day for about an hour at Tauranga Squash Club.

Jamie knows he's got a way to go before he reaches national level but he is hoping to continue his success on the squash court, starting with a win at the AIMS Games.

In 2010, Alex won the AIMS Games squash tournament.

"Last year it was quite a tight match, it was 15-13 in the final," Jamie said.

"I would really like to get back at him ... and I hope that I can do it."