Being the nationally top ranked prospect in any sport is a huge accomplishment for any athlete, especially when that athlete is only 15 years old.
Territory squash sensation Rhys Dowling has been given the top spot in Squash Australia's Under-17 division latest round of national rankings after recently making the jump to the senior division.
Currently in his second year of a Certificate III Sport and Recreation with Charles Darwin University, Rhys is a three-time Australian champion and still the top male squash player in Darwin at a junior or senior level.
Territory junior squash coach Jarrod Ashcroft said having won three national titles in a row, Rhys was definitely poised to have a strong 2011.
“Seldom does it occur that a player who moves up an age group retains the top spot, but Rhys did it,” he said.
The Darwin High School Year 11 student’s speed around the court and flair for hitting killer shots from anywhere has stamped him as one of the best young prospects in Australia. Squash Australia has already recognised his seemingly limitless potential, naming him the 2009 Junior Athlete of the Year.
One of the youngest members of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport, Rhys has been invited to join the Squash Australia Development Squad with the aim of representing Australia in the World Junior Titles in 2012.
“There are 15 of us in the squad and four will be chosen," Rhys said.
“There is a long way to go and a lot of work to do and tournaments to play before final selection.”
The talented left-hander will seek to get in the NT men's team for the Arafura Games in May.