STUDENT Aiden Price is looking forward to representing his county in the physically demanding game of squash.
Year 10 student, Aiden, has been a member of Haslingden Squash Club for four years, having first picked up a racquet when he was at Edenfield Primary School.
Aiden said: “I am the only member of my family to play the sport. I tried it out after one of my friends told me about it and I liked it.”
At Haslingden Sports Centre, he plays in the Junior Winter League, the Adult Winter League, the Adult League and in Closed Lancashire Tournaments; now he also plays county matches, too.
He has a rigorous schedule with three private training sessions every week with coaches Dave Scurlock, Tom McVicar and Simon Holland and he also plays in matches and tournaments.
Aiden said: “I have so many coaches because I want to improve my game and they are all trying to get me to play better.
“I came fifth in a Lancashire Tournament and then I was invited to player training that was run by Laura Massaro, the world professional squash champion.
“It was at that training session that I got to be picked for the Lancashire team.”
Aiden, from Rawtenstall, said matches can be as short as 20 minutes, and in each of the five games the players have to get to 11 or 15 points but there must be a two point margin between the players.
He said: “My matches usually last around 45 minutes for five games but I had one game that went to 32 points to 30 and so the whole five games took an hour and a half.”
Aiden used to be a member of Rossendale Harriers to keep his fitness up, but now he completes an exercise regime at home to strengthen his core and he is also helping his dad Darren to recover his fitness following a hip operation.
He added: “When I take my dog out for a walk, I always make sure it’s a run instead.”