The Coolhurst Cavaliers have announced their squad for the highly-anticipated inaugural season of the Squash Super League.
In a squad that includes the highest-ranked women’s player across any of the SSL’s six teams, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy, as well as former World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad, the Cavaliers are sure to draw in the local crowds in their bid for the first-ever title.
Following the success of last year’s PSA Squash Tour Gold-level event, the London Classic, which saw Coolhurst Tennis & Squash Club host the opening round, the club is thrilled to be bringing world-class squash back to the North London area.
2024 Coolhurst Cavaliers Squad:
Karim Abdel Gawad
Marwan ElShorbagy
Rui Soares
Simon Herbert
Hania El Hammany
Nada Abbas
Sarah-Jane Perry
Perry Malik
Elijah Thomas
Damien Duckett
Kiera Marshall
Squad: Breakdown
At the heart of the Coolhurst Cavaliers’ squad is current World No.3 Hania El Hammamy, who will be competing in her first-ever competitive squash league outside of Egypt. ‘The Leopard’, a winner of seven Platinum-level events on the PSA Squash Tour, is known for her lightning-fast pace and fierce tenacity on the court, a combination which will make her a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming SSL.
El Hammamy will be joined by current World No.6 Karim Abdel Gawad in the Cavaliers’ ranks – one of the most exciting shotmakers to grace the sport over the last decade. ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ will bring bags of experience to the team as a former World No.1 and winner of the 2016 World Championships.
The Cavaliers’ stacked line-up also includes top-20 Marwan ElShorbagy, Nada Abbas and Sarah-Jane Perry – the latter of whom is widely regarded as one of the most esteemed female British players of all time – as well as Simon Herbert and Rui Soares.
Rising stars Perry Malik, Elijah Thomas and Kiera Marshall will compete for the Coolhurst Cavaliers in the U25s category, while club hero Damien Duckett will round out the inaugural squad.
A Beacon For Squash In London
Speaking ahead of the inaugural season of the SSL, team manager Nick Healy said:
“It is amazing that England Squash are trying to reinvent the national competition aspect of the sport. It is great to have a high-level national competition to get behind.
“It’s on a knife edge with the new format; it gives an endpoint and drama. Allowing for a new element of the game to be given.
“Having the pros play and be around the junior players is priceless. This accessibility is going to fuel the next generation of squash superstars, both county and club players.”
Coolhurst Tennis & Squash Club has long been seen as one of the beacons for high-level squash in London, with the club boasting seven international standard courts in their facility, five of which are glass-backed, and the show court allowing space for 100 spectators.
Last year, the club hosted the opening round of the London Classic, an event that saw tickets sell out within hours, while the Coolhurst Cavaliers also a past force in English-based competitions.
When speaking about the potential to bring big crowds down to watch the Cavaliers in action, Nick added:
“We would love to win the league, but we view the league as an opportunity to spread the word about the game. It is going to give spectators access and exposure to top-level squash right on their doorstep.”
For more information on the Coolhurst Cavaliers, please visit their website.
