Coll and Elaraby to lead Centurions' charge - Optasia Squash Super League

The Chichester Centurions have named their squad for the highly anticipated inaugural season of the Optasia Squash Super League.

Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club have long been a force in the national squash scene, with a legacy stretching back to 1996 when they first joined the National League. Now, with world-class talent such as World No.4 Paul Coll and World No.8 Rowan Elaraby on their roster, Chichester are ready to put their stamp on the Squash Super League as they bid to secure the inaugural title.

2024 Chichester Centurions Squad

Paul Coll
Rowan Elaraby
Jonah Bryant
Katie Malliff
Tim Vail
Ollie Pett

Breakdown: The Squad

Leading the charge for the Chichester Centurions are World No.4 Paul Coll and World No.8 Rowan Elaraby, both of whom have enjoyed huge amounts of success on the PSA Tour during their respective careers.

Coll, who has previously featured for Chichester in league competitions, is a former World No.1 and two-time British Open winner, while Elaraby is one of the brightest rising stars on the PSA Squash Tour. The Squash Super League will be the first non-Egyptian league commitment that Elaraby has competed in during her career.

The Centurions’ stacked line-up also includes English rising stars Jonah Bryant and Katie Malliff as their U25 players. Both players have been lighting up the PSA Squash Tour in recent times, with Bryant winning his maiden World Event title at the Budapest Open last month and Malliff achieving this same feat at the 2024 NASH Cup.

Rounding out the line-up as club heroes are Tim Vail and Ollie Pett, the latter of whom is a former World No.42 and has enjoyed a long association with Sussex.

“A Spectacular Showcase”

Chichester Club Captain Tim Vail expressed his excitement at the opportunities that lie ahead throughout the inaugural Squash Super League season, saying:

“For us, it’s brilliant that this new league will showcase talent from across every level of the game, from stars like Paul to our local club legend like Ollie, which will appeal to every player across the game.

“It’s a chance for our club to deliver a truly special, memorable showcase and unite our members and surrounding clubs – something which I think is very important.

“We’ve got a long history competing in the National League, and coupled with our stellar roster of players, fans can look forward to a spectacular showcase that promises to inspire children and adults alike.”

Drawing On Heritage

Chichester has a rich history in the sport of squash, having first held an open squash tournament in 1975 – The Slazenger Open – before subsequently welcoming prestigious names such as Geoff Hunt, Qamar Zaman and Mohibullah Khan to the club.

The Chichester Centurions’ name is inspired by Chichester’s rich Roman history, drawing from the city’s past as a Roman settlement. The name also pays homage to ‘The Centurion Way,’ a former Roman railway line that once passed through the city.

As part of the league’s strategy to inspire the next generation, each SSL club will host a Bronze Junior event, as well as a one-hour coaching clinic before their home fixtures to offer juniors unrivalled access to world-class coaching with some of the sport’s biggest stars.

Commenting on this prospect, Tim Vail said:

“We’ve got a lot of juniors, including some Under 9s who have just started entering tournaments. So, getting the chance to meet the pros, including Paul, and see them showcase their skills is a fantastic and hugely inspiring opportunity.”

For more information about Chichester Centurions, head over to their website. You can also stay updated on their Squash Super League journey by following them on Instagram, X, and Facebook.