Squash: Palmer the favourite for Junior Open

Jamie Oakley and Abbie Palmer compete in Whangarei this weekend fresh from success at the Wellington Junior Open.

Northlander Abbie Palmer is a favourite in the AON NZ Junior Open which starts Friday at the Whangarei and Kamo squash clubs.

One hundred and eighty five players are taking part with the event doubling as the second selection event for the World Junior Boys Team.

Jamie Oakley and Palmer (ex-Bream Bay College) are seeded Number One in their divisions after wins at the Wellington Junior Open in April.

Oakley, from the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre in Tauranga, is seeded to face Scott Galloway, of the Mitchell Park club in Wellington, in the final.

Alex Oswald of Australia will be looking to claim the boys' title and take it back across the ditch after a fourth in the Australian Junior Open during Easter.

Palmer, who plays out of the North Shore Squash Club, hails from Waipu and will feel at home on the Whangarei and Kamo courts.

She will be looking to add her name to the girl's trophy for a second time and is to meet Anna Hughes, of Harcourts Eden Epsom, in Auckland in the final.

Other Northlanders in action include Whangarei's Finn Trimble (Boys Open sixth seed) who had a top 4 finish in the Wellington Junior Open.

Olivia Brookland, Iyra Stewart and Annmarie Holst join Palmer in the Girls Open, with 33 other Northland players in the other 11 divisions.

Tournament Director Karen Dykzeul said the event was the largest individual squash tournament to be played in Whangarei. "While the Whangarei Squash Club is hosting the tournament they are working in partnership with the Kamo Squash Club where a lot of games will also be played."

The courts are open to the public who are encouraged to come and watch some of the best junior squash in the country.

Games start at midday on Friday and run through to Sunday with the Girls Open finals scheduled for 2pm and the Boys Open finalsset for 3pm.

- All draws are at www.whangareisquash.co.nz/aon-new-zealand-junior-open/