Scotland’s Kevin Moran has headed Down Under this summer in a bid to take squash game to a higher level and put his name firmly in the frame for the dream ticket of an appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in three years’ time. 

The 20-year-old Napier University student – he has just completed his second year of an Architectural Technology degree – was set to compete in six events across Australia and the trip has been made possible with the help of a Winning Students scholarship, Scotland's national sports scholarships for talented student athletes.

Moran, whose successful junior Scottish career included an appearance in the national team that finished a very creditable fifth in the 2009 European Junior Championships, will take part this month in tournaments in Adelaide, Brisbane, Millicent, Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania. 

"This year has been my first year trying to compete as a senior on the European circuit, but it's been tough as the competition is so strong,” said the Paisley-born youngster who plays out of David Lloyd Renfrew. 

"The plan is to get out to Australia and try and pick up the ranking points that will help me plan my future in the sport. The higher your ranking, the more you can set your own goals and pick the tournaments.

"I'm becoming used to the travel and, in Australia, I should be up against players ranked just above me so it should be very competitive and hopefully I can pick up some good victories. ??

"By the end of the year I'd like to be in the top 150 in the world and heading towards breaking into the top 100 within the next two years, which will mean I can dedicate my time to being a full-time professional."??

Moran was selected for the Achieve 2014 programme, which took talented young athletes to Delhi to experience the 2010 Commonwealth Games and gain experience in the countdown towards Glasgow 2014.??

He also receives support from his University and trains under National coach Roger Flynn and his assistant, Stuart Crawford with the rest of the Scottish Squash national squads at Heriot-Watt University

"Once I turn professional then my whole focus will be on the Commonwealth Games and playing for Scotland. It would be great to get a full senior international cap,” he said. ?

"It was overwhelming seeing the set-up in Delhi; the sheer size and scale of the Games with the athletes’ village and the venues. To get the chance to experience it in Scotland would be amazing, but it takes a lot of sacrifices. ?

"The biggest benefit I've had from Winning Students is the financial support. It means I don't need to get a part-time job, which allows me more time to dedicate to improving my squash. I train in the morning before my studies and again at night.”

Crawford, a former Scottish Champion, is confident that the Australian trip will assist Moran in his desire to become a better player. "I'm looking forward to following Kevin's results in Australia over the course of the summer,” said the National assistant coach.  

“It will be a completely new experience for him and is a major stepping stone on his journey towards becoming a top-ranked professional on the world tour and making it to Glasgow 2014. Hopefully his hard work and dedication will pay off and he'll start to get the sort of results that his talent and commitment deserve.”

EB

© Copyright In The Winning Zone, MMXI, All Rights Reserved