Young star to represent WA in squash

Squash is a sport on the rise in the South West and one of the region's leading athletes in the game is not even a teenager.

Isabella French, 12, will head to Cairns this week to compete at the Squash Australia Australian Junior Championships 2015.

Trained by her father Nigel and Bridgetown coach Mike Cornish, Isabella is one of the stars of the Bunbury Squash Club which has experienced significant growth in the past 12 months.

Isabella said it had been a massive journey to represent WA, but she was ready to go.

"I am happy to represent WA with my skills and show that our State is the best," she said.

Isabella trains up to five times a week at the South West Sports Centre, as well as doing fitness work from home in preparation for playing the sport she loves.

The 12-year-old said she loved so many things about playing squash.

"You have to have a lot of endurance to play," she said.

Isabella said her best asset was her drives.

"I aim for getting my shots to go deep into the corners," she said.

"I also like long rallies with my opponents."

Isabella said she was aiming for a top-five finish, with a top-three good enough to get her selected to represent Australia.

She said her coaches had scouted some opposition and prepared her for what to expect.

Isabella will compete at the Sportsworld Gym and Fitness Centre on September 26 and 27.

"I am happy to represent WA with my skills and show that our State is the best" - Isabella French