Squash: Fergus Richards bids to keep ball rolling in Europe

Fergus Richards, who took up squash just four years ago, has already established himself as Scotland's top under-15 player

Gordonstoun squash prospect Fergus Richards has had a superb 2010, but such is the determination of the teenager he is already setting his sights on what can be achieved in 2011.

Over the past 12 months, Richards has established himself as Scotland's No 1 player at under-15 level after winning the national championship and playing in the home internationals as top seed. Now he is focused on selection for the Scotland under-17 team ahead of the European Championships next year. It is aremarkable rise for someone who only took up squash four years ago when he and his family were living in Wick.

Richards has been competing in national tournaments across Scotland since 2007 and was part of the Scottish Squash Performance Programme Talent Squad for upcoming potential talent in 2008 and 2009 before making it into the Scottish Squash Performance Programme Academy for proven top performers this year.

Earlier in the year, at the under-15 European Championships in Stockholm, he finished 13th out of 43 and has upped his training routine with coach Garry McKay in a bid to settle into the under-17 age-grade where he is currently ranked second in the country. Graham Broad, who has been involved with squash at Gordonstoun for the most of the last 37 years, said: "Fergus has really applied himself with his squash and as a result he has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years.

"He is a naturally talented sportsman - he still plays rugby and hockey and competes in cross country - but he seems to really be dedicated to squash and it is exciting to think what he can achieve in the next few years."