By Jamie Furness
Richlands resident and rising squash star Sarbani Maitra has been making a name for herself on the Squash court both locally and internationally.
The 15-year-old is the youngest player in the Australian team heading to Houston USA in July and will play the World Junior Championships.
Sarbani, who attends St John’s Anglican College, will then head to Wellington, NZ to play the school sport Trans Tasman series in August.
Sarbani said she was determined to prove that Australia is still a force to be reckoned with by making a mark on the international stage.
“We used to be one of the greatest countries in the sport, with legends like Heather McKay and Geoff Hunt leading the way,” she said.
“My motivation to become a better player is to put Australia back on the squash world map.”
Sarbani has already claimed several titles, finishing 1st place at the Oceania 2022 tournament, 1st place at the Trans Tasman 2022 challenge against New Zealand, and 1st at the Women’s Division 1 at the WA Open event in Perth in June 2024.
Last December, she placed 4th at the Canadian Junior Open. She finished 3rd in the Scottish Junior Open in 2022 in the under 15’s category and placed 22nd in the British Junior Open in 2023.
Sarbani has been playing squash since February 2018 when she was nine years old.
“My current goals are to break into the top 200 in the professional world rankings and improve my national senior rankings by reaching the top 10 by next year,” she said.
“I also aim to get to the quarter-finals of the US Junior Open and Round 3 of the British Junior Open next year, and hopefully win a few more international tournaments closer to home – and very hopeful to compete in the Olympics 2032 in my home ground.”
Sarbani said she was grateful for the support from her coach Robyn Prentice, her mum, her brother, her grandparents, her extended squash family, St John’s Anglican College and her sponsor, HEAD.
The cost of travelling for tournaments has become rather expensive, and Sarbani would welcome support from anyone in the community who is willing to donate towards her sporting goals.
“I’m grateful to have competed in 17 international tournaments across the globe, but costs are just building up and travel has become expensive,” she said.
“Generous donations from the community will help cover my travel internationally to compete and train.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported me so far. Every bit of encouragement and every donation makes a huge difference.”
To donate towards Sarbani’s travel funds, search for Sarbani Maitra on the Australian Sports Foundation projects webpage asf.org.au/explore-projects.
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