The Bristol Buccaneers have named their squad for the inaugural season of the Optasia Squash Super League.
Workout Harbourside, formerly known as Welshback Squash Club, will be drawing on their Bristolian roots in their quest for the inaugural title, naming world-class talents such as former World Champion Mohamed El Shorbagy and former World No.3 Joelle King in their star-studded squad.
2024 Bristol Buccaneers Squad:
- Mohamed ElShorbagy
- Eain Yow Ng
- Youssef Soliman
- Lucas Serme
- Joelle King
- Tesni Murphy
- Rachel Arnold
- Ameeshen Chandaran
- Danial Harith
- Jared Carter
- Yasshmita Jadishkumar
- Carys Jones
- James Peach
- James Snell
Squad: Breakdown
The Bristol Buccaneers team will be headlined by former World No.1 and 49-time PSA Tour winner Mohamed El Shorbagy, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the men’s game. ElShorbagy’s formidable presence and experience on court will make him a driving force to be reckoned with over the upcoming season.
This isn’t the end of the Buccaneers’ men’s talent, with top-15 duo Eain Yow Ng and Youssef Soliman – both of whom are UWE alumni along with ElShorbagy – as well as Frenchman Lucas Serme, named in their squad.
This stellar lineup will also include an exciting group of U25 talent, all of whom reside in Bristol and are part of the UWE University squash program. Malaysian trio Ameeshen Chandaran, Yasshmita Jadishkumar, and Danial Harith – the latter who finished third in the 2024 World Junior Championships – will look to make their mark on the big stage, with Carys Jones and Jared Carter two of their other rising stars.
The Buccaneers’ squad will be rounded by club legends James Peach and James Snell, who both have deep links to the club as UWE alumni and will be sure to draw the local crowds in.
Homegrown Talent
Ahead of the inaugural Squash Super League season, Bristol Buccaneers team manager John Welton said:
“Our aim was to build a team of players who have connections to the city. All of our squad are either UWE alumni, current UWE players, or players who have trained and lived in the city. Our fans will already have a connection with the players, and this will help create a great atmosphere at home games.
“I’m really proud of this project and can’t wait to bring so many players together who all have a passion for the city and its squash history. Our squash program at UWE is growing and improving each season and it is fantastic for us to showcase our current players, as well as bringing in some of our alumni legends.”
“Bristol Is Ready”
As part of the league’s strategy to inspire the next generation of players, Workout Harbourside will host a one-hour coaching clinic for their juniors before their home match, in which these stars of tomorrow will be able to play on court with some of the Buccaneers’ biggest names.
On the prospect of this and the long-awaited return of professional squash to Bristol, John added:
“We have been desperate to see a professional squash team back in our city!
“We have a great history of professional squash at our club, and we can’t wait to fill the grandstand seating once again. The new format is really exciting; all four matches will be hugely competitive and having them all on the show court is brilliant for the fans.
“This will be great exposure for our U25 university athletes to compete in this environment and be around such legends as Mo and Joelle. I can’t wait to bring professional squash back to our club at Workout Harbourside, it’s been too long, but Bristol is ready.”
For more information on the Bristol Buccaneers, please visit their website.
