He may only be 10 years old but Henry Kross certainly has what it takes to challenge some of the best squash players from around the country.
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The state age champion and Australian Junior Open representative from Parkes is among a few players who will be making their debut at the Forbes Open.
Forbes will host some top squash competitors this weekend, with some big names signing up for the annual squash tournament.
Forbes Squash president Darren Piper says entries have come in from all over NSW and competition for the men's open title is looking particularly strong.
The top three seeds are Rohan Toole, who is currently ranked sixth in Australia; Sydney's Simon Carruthers and Bankstown's Michael Bolton who has won the Open five times.
Locals in the running include Piper himself, Parkes' Jay Kross, Henry's father, and 16-year-old Lockie Miller, also of Parkes, who just won the ACT Under 17s and is making his debut in the Open men's grade.
Henry is entering the men's C Grade.
In the women's Shanna Nock, Zoe Hood and 15-year-old Marley O'Shannessy of Parkes are the players from our region to look out for.
The Open will see a full two days of competition at the Forbes squash courts, at the Golf and Sportsman's Hotel, on Saturday and Sunday, as well as Saturday morning at the Parkes squash courts at the Parkes Services Club.
Men and women will contest Opens, State, A, B and C Grade competitions.
Spectators are certainly welcome, with the finals expected about lunchtime (from 11am) on Sunday and Piper anticipates some outstanding matches.
"I think it will be the strongest Open we have ever had," Piper said.
It's an excellent opportunity for our district players to test their skills against the visitors, he said, but it's also excellent for Forbes and Parkes to draw the crowd of visitors.
The Open, the brainchild of Forbes' Gary Dempsey, has grown in reputation over its 11-year history, Piper said.
"It's got a good vibe," he said.
For Rohan Toole, a Canowindra product who's training in Sydney, tournaments like the Forbes Open are a chance to reconnect with family, friends and people he's known in the sport for years.
"These tournaments are massive, when I was 13, 14, 15 and starting to play the adult tournaments I still remember the matches played by the guys that came out from Sydney, who I play with now," he said.
He also encouraged those interested in the sport to come along to their local tournaments.
The Parkes Squash Club is also hosting the Parkes Doubles on April 18 and 19, with entries open now.
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