Junior squash sensation joins the Professional Squash Association

Alongside putting in the hours for her upcoming GCSEs, a Bury St Edmunds schoolgirl is rapidly developing a national and international reputation as a formidable squash player.

At just 15 years old, Bury St Edmunds’ Emma Bartley, has become one of the youngest members of the PSA, the Professional Squash Association, and will now compete on the professional adult circuit and allow her to start her journey into professional sport.

Emma, who is coached by former professional player, Lauren Selby, and sponsored by Suffolk-based AJN Steelstock, has already shown her metal by claiming the Eastern Region Squash Championship at every level – Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17.

Internationally, Emma has represented her country some 19 times, winning two gold medals in Sweden and Holland.

Having first picked up a squash racket at the tender age of three, Emma has notched up an array of squash titles including Under 11 National Champion.

She was also ranked Number One in the country in the Under 11 and Under 13 categories and went on to rank Number Two in the Under 15 category. After just one month, Emma is now ranked seventh nationally in the Under 17 grouping.

Emma’s impressive match statistics have rightly earned her a place on the elite Professional Squash Association circuit, which means she can compete anywhere in the world, and has led to a recent nomination as the West Suffolk Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Emma’s astonishing accomplishments, however, demand uncompromising commitments from her. When she isn’t putting time into her GCSEs, Emma has a punishing training regime which includes a daily training session, regular training with the England squad in Manchester or Nottingham as well as competing in a slew of matches all over the country. She also has strength and conditioning sessions as well as yoga exercises week in and week out.