Squash player welcomes home comforts at Inverness tournament
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Professional squash player Fergus Richards is delighted the Springfield Scottish Squash Open is heading to Inverness next year.
Richards spent his junior years training at Inverness Tennis and Squash Club, the venue for next August’s tournament.
The club has earned plaudits for its staging of the Scottish Masters Squash Championships in both 2018 and 2019.
Before that they played host to a professional squash tournament in 2014 prior to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Richards is thrilled the Inverness club is now set to stage Scotland’s flagship squash tournament.
“I have a great love for the club,” the 24-year-old said.
“I spent a lot of my time as a junior travelling from the family home in Elgin to train there with the likes of Greg Lobban who I really admire.
“It will feel like a home tournament for me and hopefully I manage to make the draw and get a good run. My mum would be delighted because she wants to see me playing more squash and hopefully I can give her that.”
He continued: “Inverness deserves a lot of recognition for the success Scottish squash has had over the last 15 years.
“Since Alan Clyne became Scotland number one, it’s been an Inverness player up at the top.
“Alasdair Prott is another real talent who’s just starting his professional career so there’s lots of squash links with Inverness.
“Having the Springfield Scottish Squash Open up in the Highlands will be great for the area and hopefully can attract some kids to join the club because it’s a great set-up there.”
In 2019 Springfield Properties partnered with Scottish Squash and the Professional Squash Association to bring back the Scottish Open after an 18-year break.
Richards is sponsored by Springfield Properties and he says the support they are giving him and the sport in Scotland is vital.
He added: “Springfield Properties have been brilliant for me.
“With their support I’ve been able to follow a dream to be a professional athlete, something not many people get to do. It’s made the world of difference to me.”
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