Leamington Royals have unveiled their squad ahead of the highly anticipated inaugural Optasia Squash Super League (SSL) season.
This historic and exciting new chapter sees Leamington Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (LLTSC) take its place alongside the nation’s elite, whilst also bringing ground-breaking top-level squash to the heart of its local community.
Ready to take the league by storm, the Royals’ squad features a mix of world-class professionals and emerging local stars.
2024 Leamington Royals Squad
- Victor Crouin
- Satomi Watanabe
- Declan James
- Salma Eltayeb
- Sam Osborne-Wylde
- Abdallah Eissa
- Rory Richmond
- Mariam Eissa
- Owain Taylor
- Jason Pike
- Howard Lancashire
- Sam Miller
- Sam Cross
Breakdown: The Squad
The Royals’ 2024 squad is stacked with a tantalising mix of elite global talent and homegrown future stars, all set to ignite the league with their skills.
At the helm of the team are World No.12s Victor Crouin – the reigning European Individual Champion – and Satomi Watanabe, who last year made history as the first Japanese player to break into the world’s top 20.
With the dynamic presence of club favourite Declan James and Egypt’s Salma Eltayeb as reserve pros, the team has a deep roster that is well-positioned to compete throughout the league’s debut season.
Along with this stable of household names, the stellar lineup will include an exciting crop of U25 talent, all hailing from the local area. Sam Osborne-Wylde, Abdallah Eissa, and Rory Richmond represent the future of British squash, while 15-year-old Mariam Eissa – already making waves in the sport – stands ready to become one of the league’s youngest sensations.
The Leamington Royals’ squad will also feature club hero Owain Taylor, whose experience at Warwickshire League and National and European Squash club level makes him the perfect leader for this exciting squad.
Completing the line-up are club stalwarts Jason Pike, Howard Lancashire and Sam Miller, plus promising 15-year-old talent Sam Cross.
“The big names of tomorrow”
Head Coach Jason Pike expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming season, saying:
“We can’t wait to get started and put Leamington on the map, showcasing the fabulous facilities here and the spirit and camaraderie of our membership.
“We’ve looked to invest with an eye on the Olympic Games, with Victor Crouin and Satomi Watanabe quickly becoming headline performers for their respective countries and several of our under 25 players seen as the big names of tomorrow.
“What better way to spend a Friday evening than watching some of the world’s best pros, the country’s best young players and local club heroes slug it out in a best-of-three sudden-death format.”
A 150th anniversary to remember
For Leamington Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, the Royals’ entry into the Optasia Squash Super League marks the next chapter in a rich legacy, with the club proudly celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
The club’s top-class facilities make it one of the best and most successful clubs in the country, boasting six squash courts – two of which are glass-backed – and a thriving junior set-up. 
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 the prospect of this, Junior Development Officer Steve Cross said:
“We have approximately 100 juniors having individual or group coaching sessions per week, as well as a performance group of ten juniors who have a desire to take their game to the next level. For these juniors, in particular, the coaching clinics are a unique opportunity to get on court and be inspired by some of the world’s best.”
For more information on the Leamington Royals, please visit their website. You can also follow them on X and Facebook.
