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Home > National Super League > Player Profile |
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David Palmer Nationality - Australian, date of birth - 28/06/1976, birth place - Lithgow NSW, Height - 1.82m, Current world ranking - No. 1 |
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David Palmer is Australia's leading squash player. A PSA professional since 1994. He strode into the top ten in February 2000, claiming two PSA titles from six final appearances in 1999, seized the No. 3 ranking in May 2001 - beating world champion Peter Nicol - and went on to reaching the PSA Masters final in Egypt. He triumphed at the Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong and attained the world No. 1 ranking in September 2001. Palmer truly came of age in June 2001, sweeping trough the British Open field at the NIA in Birmingham as the first Australian in two decades to claim the sport's most honoured and cherished title. Then in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open in August, in his fifth successive appearance in a PSA Tour final, he grasped the title for the first time. Last year David reached the final of five major PSA tournaments winning the Kuwait Open in March, although he didn't win all the finals he proved himself as one of the most consistent contenders on the circuit. Hos consistency paid off in January 2006 when he won the Windy City Open and went back to World No.1 for the first time since 2001. As the World No.1 David will be playing a key role at the top of the Diamonds team this season.
James Willstrop A professional squash player from Pontefract, England. He has achieved a highest World Ranking of No2, a highest English National Ranking of No1 and has won five World Tour titles; the 2002 Swiss Open in Geneva, the 2002 Santa Barbara Open in the USA, the 2003 Dutch Open in Maastricht, 2004 Pakistan Open and the 2005 Qatar Classic. James is one of the youngest players ever to play for his country, representing his England from the European Team Championships in 2003 and leading them to victory at the 2005 World Team Championships in Pakistan. |
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In 2002, James claimed his third consecutive British Junior U19 National Championship title to establish himself as England’s most successful junior squash player of all time, having won British National titles at all age groups U/12, U/14, U/17 and U/19, and British Junior Open trophies at U/14, U/17 and U/19. In the same year, James established himself as the World Junior No1, claiming European, British National, British Open and World Junior Championships. Also in 2002, Willstrop won the British Junior Sportsman of the Year Award at the 20th Annual Variety Sporting Awards Dinner. HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, presented the prestigious award at the star-studded event at the Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London. James represented England with distinction at all junior levels, captaining the England U19 junior team to victory in the 2002 European Junior Team Championships.
John White Nationality - Scottish, date of birth - 15/06/73, birth place - mt. Isla, Australia, height - 6', current world ranking no.10. After being a key member of the Diamonds set up for a number of seasons John moved to the USA last year where he lives with his wife and children, luckily the PSA tour brings him to Europe on a regular basis allowing him to remain part of the team. In 2005 John featured in two PSA finals, first at Windy City Open where he beat Amr Shabana and then at Motor City Open where he lost to Jonathon Power. In 2006 he won the Dayton Open beating Ramy Ahour, one of the new prospects in the world of squash.
Stuart Boswell Nationality - Australian, date of birth - 29/07/78, birth place - Canberra, height 6' 2", Current world ranking - 16, highest - 2. Stewart is making a return to the pro squash after a number of years out through injury. After reaching an all time career high of No.2 Boswell is making a return to his previous form. He only dropped two games in seven consecutive tour titles in 2005. Towards the end of 2005 he lost in the quarter final of the Qatar Classic to Anthony Ricketts, previously beating Jonathan Power and Mohd Azlan Iskandar. Stewart will be a key member of the Australian commonwealth games team which includes David Palmer and Joe Kneipp. As Boswell continues to climb up the world rakings he is going to play an important role in the Diamonds matches this year.
Cameron Pilley Nationality - Australian, date of birth 27/10/1982, height 191cm, current worl ranking - 28. Pilley had a successful 2005 with four PSA final appearances, winning two. He beat Matthew Giuffew in Manitoba Open and beat Ben Garner in the Mortgage Choice S.A. Open. He lost out to fellow Diamonds player Stewart Boswell and Azlan Iskandar. He has had some unlucky draws facing Jonathan Power four times in the first round of PSA events. In 2006 he has beaten Gavin Jones in the Dayton Open before losing out to another Diamond, John White in January. Notable wins in his career include victories over Peter Barker, Alister Walker, Ben Howell, Alex Stait and Rodney Durbach. Cameron is a valuable addition to an already strong line up. Jo Kneipp Nationality - Australian, date of birth, 27/09/1973, birth place - Brisbane, height - 1.82m, current world ranking - 31. Last season Joe was the most regular player for the Diamonds playing in every round of the league. He had victories over Simon Parke, David Evans, Mark Chaloner and Marcus Berrett. Undoubtedly one of his best wins came at Cardiff where he beat Gregory Gaultier 12-10 in the fifth, twice coming from match ball down. For the fifth year in succession, Joe remains a key man in the squad and is likely to feature in most matches this season. Although Joe had a tough 2005 on the PSA circuit drawing the likes of Jonathan Power, Lee Beachill and Thierry Lincou in the first round of three major events he remains one of the most feared contenders in the NSL league. Renan Lavigne
French no.3. Nationality:. French. Best World
Ranking:, 18. Major Championships: Colombian Open '01, '02 Hadrian Stiff Nationality - English, date of birth - 15/02/1973, birth place - Exeter, height -5' 10", Current England ranking - 16. Devon's no.1 squash player for nearly a decade, he has earned 6 junior caps and captained England as their no.1 at under 19 level. Pip has been a regular D&E representative in their super league campaigns over the last few seasons and is a welcome addition to any top flight team. Now based in Bristol, Pip still finds time to play for the club in the Devon league and Cup, and is always much in demand for his coaching and expertise. This year Pip has refound his form and has recent wins in the National Super League beating the likes of Gavin Jones (WR39). Pip is playing for the D&E in the NSL, NKO and the Devon League. |
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