EVERY MONTH, A YOUNG MARY PETERS TRUST ATHLETE SPELLS OUT HOW THE CHARITY IS AIDING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR SPORTING DREAMS
Athlete: Lydia McQuillan
Sport: Squash
LISBURN girl Lydia McQuillan’s squash journey began at Lisburn Racquets Club, as she explains.
“When I was at primary school, I enjoyed badminton and tennis summer camps. Aged 12, a friend introduced me to squash at Lisburn Racquets. I just loved the variety of the game. The high intensity of squash gripped me – anything can happen, and the sport can change direction in a moment.
“So, from not knowing what squash was, I became addicted to the game. I also loved the social side and have made so many friends through squash.”
It was during Summer 2022 that everything really came together for Lydia, and she made the Irish U17 team for the first time.
That was season 2022/23 and she travelled to Prague to play in the European Championships. “It was a whole new experience for me,” says Lydia, “I was playing at a completely different level which was very exciting. The Irish team did well, and I was so proud. We were up against the top contenders in Europe such as France and England.”
Funding from the Mary Peters Trust means a lot to Lydia as she confirms: “I feel very privileged to even be selected as a Trust athlete. I’m with a truly talented group of sports people and it’s amazing to be part of it. Funding has been vital to my development as it’s enabled me to compete abroad and play the best in the world which is a total gamechanger.
“As a person Mary is hugely inspiring. She has been a dominant female sporting figure and during her career Mary has supported young people through their own sports careers.”
In Summer 2023, Lydia was selected for the Irish Girls U19s and travelled to the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
“I was there for over two weeks,” she relates. “It was amazing and we had a cool time. We played as a team but also competed individually. The sports complex was located on Melbourne’s Formula 1 track. It was just insane the high standard of players. I brought back so much from my Aussie experience.”
Lydia and Lady Mary
Lydia has been an Irish U19 squad member from the beginning of the 2023/24 season. In March 2024 she was in Romania to compete in the U19 European Championships.
She recalls: “As a team we did very well clocking up some good wins – especially a class one against Germany. I really learned a lot. Individually I won two games and narrowly lost two. I was able to take so much away from that tournament and could clearly see I had improved massively from my 2022/2023 season.
“Everyone advises you that you learn more from losing than winning and that is so true. I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge about the tactical side of the game and shot selection. Sport is so much more than just a physical match; it’s about building mental resilience and when you’ve hit a brick wall and you need to push back and get the win.”
Having completed her A-Levels at Wallace High School in June of this year, Lydia spent the summer in England undertaking work experience as well as training and playing squash against a range of top competitors. She is on a Gap Year and hopes to take up a degree in medicine next academic year.
Coaching is something Lydia is also focusing on and has achieved the WSF (World Squash Federation) Level 1 coaching course. She’s currently working with young players in two age groups: 6-9 years and 10-15 years old.
“There aren’t that many female coaches, and I think it’s really inspiring to younger girls to be coached by a woman. I really enjoy this side of squash,” she insists.
Lydia plays at Belfast Boat Club and pays tribute to her coach Josh McVeigh, saying: “I owe a lot to Josh – he has really helped me develop and improve.”
Lydia is also thankful for the support she has received from her parents, family and friends and from her alma mater, Wallace High School.
Season 2024/2025 will be Lydia’s last as part of the Irish U19s. Going forward she aims to retain her Irish No1 status and keep improving. Lydia has also jumped up the European rankings for her age by an amazing 40 places – she’s now number 30.
Los Angeles hosts the next Olympic Games in 2028 and for the first time squash will be included. Ultimately Lydia would love to compete at that level.
“Nothing is impossible. I want to keep getting better and see how far I can go in squash,” she asserts.
