By Olivia Condous
A young Melton athlete has won the title of Under 13 Australian squash champion at the 2022 Australian Junior Open.
Tina Ma won the final on Monday April 11 and took home her first national title, after winning ACT and Victorian state titles in the past year.
Squash Logic Melton coach Richard Cagliarini said Tina had worked to an intense training plan in the lead up to the competition and the hard work all paid off.
“She’s got the best attitude and such drive, it’s just incredible,” he said.
Tina began her squash training as a five-year-old trying out the OzSquash program at Squash Logic Melton and never looked back.
“We had no idea that she was going to aim for something like this but she just kept on taking on challenges and looking forward to even more challenges every time,” Mr Cagliarini said.
“It’s been a massive pleasure to watch her grow, it’s just amazing.”
Tina said she was a little nervous to play her opponents but had a fun day and was happy to have achieved the win.
“I really just believe in my coach and I trust all hard training will be rewarded in the end, as he once said there’s no success without failure,” she said.
The competition was particularly special for Tina as it was the first time her family in China were able to see her play, via livestream.
Tina said her two big goals were to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games and she hopes she’ll be selected to compete at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics if squash is included as a sport.
“I’m so lucky to have a great coach, Richard Cagliarini and the Squash Logic Melton team, I couldn’t have achieved this without their support and encouragement.”
