Parkes Squash star Henry Kross recently competed at the NSWCHS Squash Championships. NSWCHS Squash is open to all public school students in NSW. It involves playing as a team for your region, before you split into either Opens or Under 15’s for an individual championship. The top 5 finishers in each division make the NSW team.

As a team Henry played for Western, where Western claimed a Silver medal. In the individual championship, it was his first year up in Open’s and Henry has taken out the win in that division.

“I have played under 15’s for the last four years (year 7 – 10) and managed to win three out of four in that competition. All four World Juniors were meant to compete, but one pulled out the week prior, so the competition is really strong,” said Henry.

Henry will now compete as part of the State team later in the year. “This will be my first year competing in Opens, after playing Under 15’s for NSW from year 7-10. Last year I competed in Cairns at the NSW CHS and was lucky enough to make the Australian All Schools, which I hope to do again this year in Opens.”

“I’ve been working really hard as I have State Champs in Bega this coming weekend, and fly out to World’s in Canada next week and so far my preparation has been really good. I want to make a career out of Squash, so training to keep getting to the next level motivates me,” said Henry.

Henry thanks Parkes High for their support and sponsors Dunlop and Grip X, Parkes Athletic and Parkes Squash, and everyone who has helped with his fundraising, it all counts and makes it possible.

At the recent Australian Open and Oce­ania Championships Henry Kross, who is the Australian #1 Under 17 boy, played up an age group in the Under 19’s to compete against the older boys and not only put him­self in contention for selection but earned a spot to represent Australia for the World Junior Championships. Each country se­lects four males and four females to com­pete at the WJC.

At the World Juniors (WJC) players don’t compete in age groups. Henry said, “In squash you are considered a junior until you turn 19, so it is just the best four juniors se­lected to compete from each country.”

The Championships are being held in On­tario, Canada. “I have created an 11 week schedule that involves training with my dad who is my coach, lots of solo sessions on court and quite a bit of strength and condi­tioning at Parkes Athletic.

“I will also have a team camp in Sydney, and some time at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. I’m also working with school to make sure I complete everything there before I go,” said Henry.

To fundraise for his trip to Canada Henry will again be collecting cans and bottles. “In 2024 I cashed in 40,000 (cans and bottles) to get to England, and am hoping to help with the costs by doing that again.

“We are hoping to do another lamington drive soon, and also have a sponsor page through the Australian Sports Foundation if anyone wants to donate at https://asf.org.au/campaigns/henry-kross/henrykrosss­quashopportunities.

“I really appreciate all the support I get from the community to chase my dreams,” concluded Henry.

Parkes High student Henry Cross was noti­fied by Sqaush Australia in early February of his selection in the Australian Squad to take on New Zealand in the 2026 TransTasman Test Match from 10-11 April 2026 in Melbourne, with the official announce­ment being made last week.

“Australia is looking to go three in a row for the first time ever in a Test Match against New Zealand. We will play in Mel­bourne in April, and I will be the Australian #1 Under 17 boy. This will then be followed on by the Australian Junior Open and Oce­ania Junior Championship – so I am looking at around 12 days straight of competition, plus an Aussie Squad training the day be­fore,” said Henry.

This will be Henry’s third time represent­ing Australia. Henry first represented Aus­tralia in 2023 in U/15 and competed in New Zealand, but the Aussie team lost overall.

Then again in 2024, where he won both his matches in the U/15 and the Aussie team won the test match.

When asked how he was planning to prepare in the lead up, Henry said: “Lots of fitness and on court work. I will work with my dad (who is my coach) and Jason at Parkes Athletic to make sure I’m ready.”

Henry has set himself some big goals for 2026, saying: “Making Australia Under 17’s was my first, but I also am aiming to make the All Schools Team and looking to trial for the Under 19 World Junior Team. I have also just started Year 11 at Parkes High, so am looking to keep my marks up to keep options open for after school is also a big focus this year.”

A massive congratulations to Parkes High School student Henry Kross, who has just made it into the top 20 squash ranking in the world for his age group. This is such an amazing achievement. Well done Henry!

Former Forbes resident, Regan Acret has claimed the title of Australian National A Grade Champion after competing in the Australian National Squash Championships on 26th – 27th June at Thornleigh Squash Centre. 

After winning three preliminary games to secure his place in the final, Regan went on to win the final in three games to one. Regan will now represent Australia when he travels to compete in Fiji in October this year. 

Regan has always had a passion for squash, and began playing at the age of 14 in his home town of Forbes, where he grew to be a strong, competent and competitive player. He learnt a great deal from fellow players at the Forbes Squash Club. 

In his junior years, Regan played many Central West tournaments and represented the Forbes High School in 2017 before his selection in the NSW team. In 2018 he was selected in the U19’s NSW Blue Tongues competing in Darwin for the NSW Australian Junior Championships. 

Regan moved to Wyong on the Central Coast in 2019, to further his squash career. He completes in tournamnets in, and around Sydney and Newcastle, and heads home to Forbes and Parkes for singles and doubles tournaments most weekends. 

His family and friends are extremely proud of his achievements, espcially hi greatest supporter, his mum Kim. The entire Forbes community wish you the very best of luck in Fiji, Regan.

Forbes and Parkes Squash Clubs held a highly successful state tournament last weekend with almost 180 players competing in 326 matches over two days.

It was the second year in a row the Dave Fuller Memorial Intertown event was held in Forbes and Parkes largely due to the efforts of organisers Jay Kross and Darryn Piper.

A total of 40 teams from 15 NSW clubs competed in grades from A to D, women’s, men’s and juniors. A total of 184 matches were played on Saturday alone making for a full program of highly entertaining squash action at both the Forbes and Parkes centres.

Considering the less than ideal travelling conditions, organisers were stoked with the roll up and enthusiasm displayed by the competitors. Squash is usually a sport not overly affected by inclement weather so all events were well organised and ran smoothly. Visitors were well pleased with the venues, accommodation and all local facilities.

Talented local players like Darryn Piper, Jay and Henry Kross, Bec Connell and the Webb Brothers Mark and Scott kept the home crowd cheering. Great work by Graham Coombs at Forbes with the score sheets, squash shop and more. It was greatly appreciated by all.

The results for the graded divisions held at Forbes on Sunday were: Women’s A/B semis: Dapto v Cowra and Bathurst v Dubbo/Parkes-comb, winners Dapto v Dubbo/Parkes-comb, finals winner: Dubbo/Parkes-comb. Women’s C/D finals: Condo v Cowra team 2, winners Cowra team 2. Men’s C semis: Condo v Forbes and Springwood v Parkes, winners: Condo v Parkes. finals winner: Condo; Men’s D semis: Parkes v Cowra and Springwood v Forbes; winners: Parkes v Forbes, finals winner: Parkes. 

The event was held in honour of the late Dave Fuller from Bathurst who ran the event successfully for close to 40 years.

By Dennis Haynes