“I’m pretty happy with how things have gone since November,” he said.
“To make the team was a big deal for me.”
He built up his fitness in the summer, then played in various tournaments around New Zealand.
Donnelly started living with his friend and rival Anthony Lepper and he is coached by former national champion Kashif Shuja.
Confidence is key and Donnelly found he had to work on his mental game.
He needed to know that his physical training was paying off amid flagging results on the court but he’s started to turn that around.
Donnelly said support and guidance from family and friends had made his transition from school easier.
“The Shujas and Leppers have helped me the most, and my own family, of course.”
Donnelly has been playing squash since he was five.
The Surf City Squash Club member has spent a lot of time at the Childers Road courts in Gisborne and he was named Squash Eastern’s sportsperson of the year in 2018.
He also won the junior sportsman and new coach categories.
Donnelly said his parents were big squash fans and they, and his friends, backed his decision to go pro.
“They know how much I enjoy it.”
Longer term, he may base himself overseas, as top New Zealand players Joelle King and Paul Coll have done.
“I want to compete with the best in the world.”
His immediate focus, though, is on the junior world champs.
He then hopes to win the u19 junior nationals in Auckland in October.
After that, Donnelly will reassess his progress in the sport.
“So far, so good,” he said.
