Up and coming: Alan Clyne

Making a racquet for Scots squash

ALAN CLYNE is set to become the standard bearer for a new generation of Scottish squash players. A radical new training regime with a strong Australian influence has been bubbling away nicely at the Heriot-Watt National Centre for the past few years, and now it is time for it to reach full froth on the world stage.

Having just completed his degree in physical education at Edinburgh University, 21-year-old Clyne is ready to become the pioneer when he launches a full-time career on the Professional Squash Association circuit.

Last week, Clyne helped Scotland finish in the top eight at the European Championships in the Netherlands, and he has already shown promise with the former world No.3, Simon Parke, his most impressive scalp. His next big challenge is to make rapid headway up the world rankings.

Currently ranked No.131, he reckons that a place in the top 100 by the end of the year is a realistic goal. Looking a little further ahead, he intends to be a serious medal contender at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

In fact, it is the next Commonwealths that have been laid down as a progress marker by the two Australians who have made a considerable impact on the Scottish scene. Paul Frank, the high performance director, led the way when he arrived in Edinburgh in late 1999; Roger Flynn was appointed national coach some 18 months ago.

A talented player and one-time head coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne, Flynn knows what it takes to produce a champion. He was coach to five times World Open winner Sarah Fitz-Gerald, and also helped Paul Price and Anthony Hill reach heady heights in the men's game.

So why Scotland? "I had known Paul (Frank] for years and knew we were on the same wavelength," explained the Australian. "I heard there were a bunch of talented players coming through and realised that there was just a fantastic opportunity in Scotland. Paul had established a great base of talent, and when I got offered the job I was more than ready to jump on and go with it."

Frank, who has extended his tartan connections by marrying the former Scottish internationalist, Louise Philip, describes Flynn as "the best squash coach in the world" and he is confident that youthful promise will soon be turned into impressive results on the PSA Tour.

"Scotland almost started from scratch with a new programme in 2000," he said. "Alan is one of the first products and he will be a big focus over the next few years. Medals at the next Commonwealth Games, both in singles and doubles, is one target, and I'll also be disappointed if someone doesn't make the world's top ten."

Shetlander Jamie Macaulay, Edinburgh's Harry Leitch, Lisa Aitken, from Montrose, and Aberdeen pair Graham Melvin and Claire Kidd are others upon whom hopes are pinned, while Stonehaven's 18-year-old Lyall Paterson, the current top junior, made history this week by becoming the youngest Scot ever to compete at the European Championships.

At junior level, Douglas Kempsell (Under-15) and Kirsty Lobban (Under-13) are both ranked in the top ten in Europe.

Clyne, from Munlochy on the Black Isle, hit his first squash ball as a five-year-old at the Inverness club. Just 12 when Frank launched the Heriot-Watt Academy set-up, he spent the next few years travelling up and down the A9 to Edinburgh every weekend.

"It was tough and I'm very grateful to my parents," reflects Clyne. "But it was great to start working with Paul, and Roger is a fantastic coach. My game has improved dramatically since he came to Scotland."

Peter Nicol, before his controversial defection to England, took Scottish squash to a new level when he enjoyed a long reign as the world No.1 and won the 1999 World Open. Australian-born John White – who became a Scot in 1998 – also spent a brief spell as the world's best player.

But it is now time for a new crop of tartan talent to make a mark, and Clyne is delighted to be first of the new kids on the block.